Monthly Wrap Up—May
Books, films, and other entertainment the dorks engaged with in May
So the dorks decided we would start giving you guys a monthly wrap-up showcasing the best and worst of the books and films we engaged with during the month. Here's the wrap-up for May:
Books
Adam:
Two Whores of Independence (2024)
by Eddie Black
Melancholy written beautifully.
Rating: (★★★★✰)
Crash (1973)
by J. G. Ballard
Ballard is a powerhouse. Violent and sickening pornography by the author who gave us the masterpiece “High-Rise”. Not for the faint of heart.
Rating: 3.5 (★★★✰✰)
Nevada (1928)
by Zane Grey
A gunslinging romp. Fun.
Rating: (★★★✰✰)
Jon:
All Quiet On The Western Front (1929)
by Erich Maria Remarque
All three books I managed to complete in May were solid in their own rights, but the standout of the month was definitely All Quiet On The Western Front. I'd seen the film first, which is not usually my style, but the novel was even more gut-wrenching and devastating. Probably one of the grimest depictions of war ever. Shook me to the core and there were tears in my eyes at the end.
Rating : (★★★★✰)
Films
Adam's Best and Worst:
Civil War (2024)
dir. Alex Garland
A full length review is already up on the substack, but this is an almost perfect film. Great direction, anxiety inducing atmosphere, and memorable acting from Kirsten Dunst.
Rating: 5/5
The Whale (2022)
dir. Darren Aronofsky
Even sadder, slightly less beautiful. I haven’t cried this much since the 90’s.
Rating: 5/5
The Zone of Interest (2023)
dir. Jonathan Glazer
The Holocaust hums in the background of indifferent housewives throwing parties. A ballsy direction that paid off big-time. Melancholic and eerie.
Rating: 4.75/5
Enemy (2013)
dir. Denis Villeneuve
Paranoia-inducing, trippy and well-acted.
Rating: 5/5
Shattered (2022)
dir. Luis Prieto
Terrible, terrible, terrible. And also, terrible. Nothing good to say about this film.
Rating: ½/5
Jon's Best and Worst:
Full list and reviews on Letterboxd
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (2023)
dir. Sam Wrench
Three hours of pure bliss. Swift understands her art and understands how to offer it using all her charm and theatrics, in a way only she can. That is what many has seen in her that has kept them hooked for years and years. Taylor Swift, in the simplest words, is a master. She's one of the greatest living artists to ever do it. She will always be famous.
Rating: 4.5/5
Dune: Part Two (2024)
dir. Denis Villeneuve
Dune Two was a rewatch, but I was pretty convinced after this second viewing that it's my favorite film of the decade so far.
Rating: 5/5
The Holdovers (2023)
dir. Alexander Payne
The Holdovers was my favorite first watch and probably the best film from 2023 I've seen. A heartwarming, breath-taking, cozy holiday film that instantly got me. I hardly use this to describe anything, but this is pretty much a perfect film.
Rating: 5/5
God's Own Country (2017)
dir. Francis Lee
Should have gotten the short film treatment as that'd have made more sense for the story told. No, I'm not anti breezy-not-too-plot-heavy films, but this was just empty. Oscillates between being a sad boy drama and a Brokeback Mountain rip off at points (which is a large detriment to it).
Rating: 2/5
That's bring us to the end of the lists. We're all looking to read more good books, and see better films in June. Feel free to tell us if you've seen any of the films and read any of the books and leave your thoughts on them in the comments. Also tell us your favorite reads of the month as well. We'd love to know. Happy New Month, and we hope you have a terrific June.