The Queering of the American Child by Logan Lancing. Watched an interview with the author that piqued my interest so I picked up his book. I can't say I got all of it on first read but I got most of it. In short, the author draws connections between queer theory and how it is taught, Marxism, and cult indoctrination. He does so largely by reading queer theory literature and quoting key points back to the reader here in his book. What I gather is fairly disturbing, but I also feel like I need to come back for a re-read in a few years because some of the quoted portions are abstract and difficult for me to parse. However, this is certainly a worthwhile read, particularly if anyone is going into education.
Spiritual Gifts in the Local Church by David Pytches. I was given this along with Defeating Dark Angels and I Give You Authority by Charles Kraft, so I pushed myself through this book, but unlike the other two I really had to drag myself through it. In some ways it is a useful primer on spiritual gifts and practices, however it is very dated in format and language. Distractingly so. I can't really recommend it because it is not reader-friendly. I hope to find a more readable primer in the future.
Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef. Aaaaaaaaah what a lovely story. Once there was a teenage girl who inherited a veterinary clinic from her recently murdered father. Only, she finds out, he was not just a normal vet. He was a vet for mythical creatures. I was all set to do four stars until the end, which tied things up so well it bumped it up a notch. Lovely read.
The Otherworld by Abbie Emmons. I was intrigued because I'd seen some of this author's writing instruction videos on YouTube. This was the only book of hers that was available in the library system, so I picked it up. Lovely writing. Good quality. Romance isn't my usual but this was an enjoyable read. Enjoyed it enough that I might pick up her other two novels.
The True Meaning of Smekday and Smek For President by Adam Rex. These are the books that the Dreamworks movie Home was based on. I liked Home... until I read The True Meaning of Smekday. Now I'm peeved at the fairly substantial changes that were made–especially to the Gorg and the Boov–in favor of forcing a moral. Whatever--the books were really funny and well-written. Parts of the movie still tug at my heart even if I'm mad at the way Hollywood guts author's work before it gets to the screen. If you ever liked the movie, READ THE BOOKS. They have way more of what you loved about the movie.
Worship: Beyond the Hymnbook by Charles Kraft. Mixed feelings. There are aspects of this book that made me re-think how I worship, and some parts that so accurately described my experience growing up in church that I ran around showing my family members the applicable two pages. However, it also runs a little over-analytical about worship for a lay person. I get the feeling this is more aimed at pastors and worship leaders. I found myself feeling like the author was overthinking this, though again, perhaps I'm not the target audience. Probably wouldn't re-read.
Introvert Book Club Reads (last one)
A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci. There’s a murder in the American deep South in the sixties. Jerome, a black man caught at the scene of the elderly white couple’s death, claims innocence, but everyone “knows he did it.” Everyone except his new lawyer. Troubled by bits and pieces that don’t add up, Jack Lee—a local white criminal defense attorney—takes on Jerome as a client. Shortly after that, all the big guns come in on the prosecution side, leading to an unlikely team-up between Jack Lee and a black female lawyer from the trenches of the Civil Rights movement, Desiree DuBois.
I started reading this feeling somewhat defensive and rather battered around the ears by several other stories I've consumed along this vein and their polemical morals. However, by the end of this one, I came away with the feeling that this book isn’t as much a sermon slammed down on the reader in disgust as it is an honest but difficult conversation between the author and the reader. And if we can have more honest but difficult conversations, I think we have a chance—as the end statement of the novel pleads—to unite again.
It's also quite a fine story with intriguing twists, turns, and high stakes with real consequences to the characters. As it should be.
Movies
The Fall of Minneapolis. Hard documentary to watch. It starts with nearly full bodycam and security cam footage of George Floyd’s arrest, and from there goes into the ensuing riots from the point of view of the police precinct that was attacked and dismantled, and then goes into the trial and how it was conducted. A while ago I watched Candace Owen’s The Greatest Lie Ever Sold and I said that it didn’t cover the George Floyd issue satisfactorily, though I was more convinced about her comments regarding BLM. This documentary was what I was looking for. By and large, there is no narration, only interviews and a few words on the screen from time to time to state what is happening. It is quiet and somber and takes its subject matter seriously, diving in depth into the events. Disturbing, but well worth the watch. The trailer is restricted to Youtube so you can see it here.
The Shift. Angel Studios has been putting out several movies over the last few years, and The Shift is their stab at Christian sci-fi. Protagonist Kevin is “shifted” away from his reality and into another, where he is asked to become part of a special task force of alternate reality Kevins keeping things running the way the Benefactor wants them run. In return, the Benefactor offers Kevin whatever he wants. When this particular Kevin refuses, he is plunged into a Job-level nightmare that never seems to end. It’s very interesting, and the “Benefactor” character manages to be the perfect level of chilling, aggressive, and charming as needed without getting too hammy. Probably wouldn’t see it again, but was a good watch. Also you get to watch a movie that lets Samwise Gamgee come in packing, which is fantastic.
Batman: Under The Red Hood. Now this… it’s a really good idea that copped out at the end. The concept is that one of Batman’s proteges, Robin, was once kidnapped and beaten nearly to death by the Joker, and then murdered seconds away from rescue. The whole movie revolves around the question why Batman allows truly dangerous and evil villains like the Joker to live, as if they are worth more than those Batman claims to love and wants to protect. It’s an excellent question, but in the end scene, I can’t even tell what happened. It was left open-ended, in what feels like a purposeful move, and I do not like that. Aside from the ending, this was an excellent Batman story.
Wonka. *sigh* It had potential. There are moments of true wonder and whimsy in this prequel story. The visuals are truly delightful and the songs are probably the best part of the movie. However the co-star child actor was not in the least convincing and, while I know you’re supposed to set aside your critical brain for the whimsy, it leaned too hard on that. I can’t even really recommend it, to be honest.
Full Metal Jacket. Well damn son. If Hacksaw Ridge was a somber and serious treatment of a battle in WWII, Full Metal Jacket takes a different tone about Vietnam. The story starts in boot camp and progresses on through the war, and nearly the entire time the soundtrack in the background is jaunty American rock music. The exception to that rule is the couple of eerie scenes where the music yanks you by the ear to pay attention to this very important moment. The jaunty background music gave me the feeling the soldiers themselves were trying to drum up going in, that they were hard-bitten Yanks and the death and destruction wouldn't bother them in the least. However, none of the soldiers seem to know why they are there, and the spectrum of humanity is on display, from the guy gunning down civilians out of the helicopter to the guys risking everything to help wounded buddies. Nobody seems to know why they were fighting this war, and that despair just rises every time a squad loses someone to a sniper. It’s a hard movie to watch, but excellently done.
Am I Racist? I spoiled this a bit for myself by probing around and watching interviews about this mockumentary. If you haven't already, don't. Just go in blind. The funny moments will be funnier, and the sincere moments will be deeper. Yes, there are sincere moments. However, be prepared for severe awkwardness. I spent at least half of the film pretzeling uncomfortably in my seat. I do think it accomplished its goal, which is to show just how badly the DEI industry is taking advantage of our current situation.
Shows
Invincible (season 1). Yeah definitely a rated R type show. I didn't think I would find something animated that had more violence than the anime Elfen Lied but, y'know, the human race continues to prove me wrong. Though I'd argue this is much better written and has a better worldbuilding situation than Elfen Lied. It's a superhero story... but very dark, violent, and "Superman" isn't who you think he is. One season in, and it's a very good story so far.... I can't honestly put a trailer here because even the trailer has a lot of blood in it. Like, a lot. This show really gives you a sense of even the civilian casualty situation when superheroes go to war, something I've never seen happen in the Marvel universe...
Games
Slay the Princess. Welcome to the click-to-choose horror game where you are the hero who must slay the Princess, because if you do not, she will destroy the world. Well... easier said than done. If you just play through it once, it's incredibly short, but I'm playing through several times because I want to see as many options as I can. It's designed in a storyboard animation style that is a lot of fun. You will have to gage your own level of being able to stomach horror, but I was fine playing through it. Even if I was a bit confused by the whole abstract concept bit, this was a delightfully fun game to play and I am looking forward to finding all the different scenarios the creators hid in it.
Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition. I mentioned this already but this has got to be a top-of-the-list therapy game. In this game, you are Stella and you have come to replace Charon, the ferryman for the dead. You inherit his boat and you use it to pick up the various spirits in this realm. You remodel your boat to accommodate them as true guests. You cook for them. You fulfill their last little requests. In the end, you accompany them to the Everdoor so they may pass on more permanently, and you bid each farewell. It is about death and dying, but it is also about slowing down and taking the time to do your tasks and care for yourself and others. It is gentle on all the senses and beautiful to look at. You definitely get attached to some of the guests more than others, and I think there are personality types for every kind of player to attach to. Top notch game that I hope to return to in five or ten years when I could use another gentle play-through.