Week 3 15/09/24 Movie

Cowboys (2020)

Joe is a Transgender boy who is unhappy living with his mother and begs his father who he sees once a week to take him. It follows their journey together through the Montana wilderness. I did not expect this movie to make me cry but it did.I wouldn't say this movie is the best movie of all time or even award worthy but it has trans masc representation which is few and far between in films and television. It's a solid 8/10 movie.

You should watch if:

You liked Hunt For The Wilder People

You are trans or looking to broaden your views of trans children

You like happy endings

Week 2 04/09/24 Book

The Flowers of Buffoonery by Osamu Dazai

The story follows Yozo Oba in his day to day life in a sanitarium after a failed suicide attempt. I've read a lot of prewar japanese literature and Dazai's other works but this one sticks out to me the most. Often Dazai just inserts himself into the novel and makes comments about it. It also has a light hearted and almost clownish atmosphere throughout despite the dark themes of self-hatred, depression and suicide.

You should read if:

You like Dazai's other works like No Longer Human

You are a fan of experimental literature like Virgina Woolf

You like short novels you can read in a day or two

Best thing about it:

The very last sentence

Week 1 31/08/2024 Movie

The Crow (1994)

The Crow stars Brandon Lee (son of the infamous Bruce Lee) and his performance in the movie is exceptional. Unfortunately, it was both his break through movie and his final performance as he passed away after an accident on set. The Crow tells the story of a couple brutally killed and one brought back to life to set things right by a crow. It's action filled, has a dark gothic atmosphere and makes the audience examine how love, loss of innocence and normalisation of crime plays into the justification of revenge

You should watcch if:

You are goth

Like comic accurate masterpeices

Like action movies

Your favourite Joker is Heath Ledger's from the Dark Knight

Best things about it:

Costume and set design

The soundtrack

The action sequences and choice of camera angles

A well thought out plot that touches on themes many people can relate to and get behind the main characters.