I’ve mentioned my love of the original Space Jam before but it’s always worth repeating. It was the first film that I saw multiple times in the cinema. I first saw it with a friend and I loved it so much that I forced my mother to take us to see it again. I adored it. I laughed at jokes that I didn’t understand and I had a bloody good time. I rewatch it all the time because it’s such a joyous thing. It’s a film that shouldn’t work. It’s based on an advert and it’s just shameless in its self-promotion. It relies on ridiculous cameos and in-jokes. Yet, somehow, it just comes together. So, of course, I was interested to see how the sequel would work out. It’s been 25 years. We neither needed or wanted it. But it’s here now. Would LeBron James ever be able to step into Michael Jordan’s Nikes?
The last week of July was a bit of a blur. A miserable and rainy blur but a blur nonetheless. August is going to be a pretty busy month, so hopefully I’ll get through all of the books I wanted to read. But I can worry about that later. For now, I’m finishing the month having finished more books than I expected. It’s been a difficult month and I haven’t felt up to reading much. This week was especially tricky and I was convinced that I’d fail to finish the books I needed to. So, how did I do?
Weekly Blog Posts
BOOK REVIEW – You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour & David Levithan
I’m not a big fan of YA fiction. I’m also not a big fan of romance novels either. I just find them to be quite obvious and simplistic. There’s not the kind of character development that I crave and everything is conveniently wrapped up by the end. I’m just not into that. So, why did I decide to read a YA romance this month? Cause I needed a novel starting with Y obviously. Would it be as bad I expected it to be or would it convince me to give more a chance? Find out why by giving my review a quick read.
TBT REVIEW – Iron Man(2010)
Ah 2010. When the MCU was much less complicated. When each film was only leading to The Avengers instead of the insane plan that Kevin Feige and co. have cooked up. As Black Widow has been in the spotlight (sort of) thanks to her first solo(ish) outing, I decided to revisit her first time in the MCU. It’s my most hated Marvel movie and one I haven’t watched more than once. Would it be as bad as I remember? If you’re feeling nostalgic, take a look at my review.
BOOKISH POST – July Reading Wrap-Up
Another end of the month and another post looking back on what I’ve read. I didn’t think I’d do too well this month because I’ve just not been bothered about reading anything. I must have managed to bring things together in the end though. I did much better than I expected. To see what I’ve read in the last 31 days, check out my wrap-up.
BOOKISH POST – Spell the Month in Book Titles: July
I’ve made it over halfway through the year and have successfully managed to each month so far. Of course, February aside, the first part of the year is relatively easy. Yes, there are a few odd letters but, lengthwise, there are no real worries. Now July is over, I really have to start getting a handle on my reading. There are some long months coming up. See how I did with July in my post.
Just Read
You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour & David Leviathan
I didn’t enjoy this one so it probably took a bit longer than it should have. Still, it wasn’t exactly taxing. A pretty mindless and obvious story to get me through.
Jazz by Toni Morrison
There was a point when I didn’t think that I’d finish this in time but I needed it for my Reading Challenge. Somehow, I managed to fit it in. It’s not my top pick for Toni Morrison but it’s well worth a read.
Thor Vol. 1 by Walter Simonson
I even managed to fit in a couple of extra graphic novels before the month ended. I like Thor as a character, so I thought this was quite fun. Who doesn’t love Beta Ray Bill?
Journey Into Mystery Vol.1 Fear Itself by Kieron Gillen
My final read of the month was a Loki filled one. He’s very much in the picture again and I can’t say that I approve of how Marvel handle the character. So, why not go back to the comics and see him in all his glory?
Currently Reading
The Tenets in the Tattoos by Becky James
I won an ARC copy of this recently and I’m hoping to get it read before it comes out in early August. It’s not necessarily my usual read but it sounded really interesting. I’m hoping it’ll go well.
Book Haul
I have bought a book this week but it was only because I was also buying something else. I decided to pick up Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder. I’ll get round to it at some point.
Recently Watched
TV:
ER– I’ve just reached the final season and I’m starting to care less. Pratt’s dead and Abby’s gone. Neela is the only person I really care about and she is making terrible choices. I might not bother with the rest.
During all of the press surrounding Black Widow, Scarlett Johansson criticised the film in which she made her first MCU appearance. Johansson spoke out about the “hypersexualisation” of her character during the film. Of course, she didn’t have an awful lot to say about Joss Whedon’s decision to focus on her arse as much as possible during Avengers but never mind. It’s not like you can disagree with her. Everything about Nat’s first appearance in this franchise problematic when you look back. First and foremost, the way she looks. It’s her worst look by far and speaks to the male gaze that comes from the comic books. That awful red wig doesn’t really work and makes Johansson look much less beautiful than she really is. Yes, she’s still one of the best looking people on the planet so it’s all relative. Now with all of this talk of Iron Man 2, I decided it was time to go back and rewatch it.
It’s been another slow week, which is mostly due to the weather. I’m not built for this kind of heat and it’s really put me off reading. I have read a bit more than I did last week but it’s nothing to shout about. I’m very much aware that I’m getting to the end of July and I still have a few letters to cross off my reading challenge. I’ll get there. It will just require all of my attention. A real shame considering that I’ve got a lot to do today. Weekends need to be longer.
It’s been a long road getting to this Black Widow film. The character first appeared in the MCU way back in 2010 and has been sidelined ever since. Then the news finally hit that she was getting her chance in the spotlight. Of course, it wasn’t smooth sailing and Covid put the release date back by over a year. It’s fair to say that Natasha deserved a better deal but at least she’s finally the star of the show. Yes, it’s 4 years after Wonder Woman debuted and we’ve met Captain Marvel already. The fact is, Black Widow is here and we’ve got a lot to celebrate. For one thing, Scarlett Johansson is playing a character with an appropriate ethnic background. But this has always looked like a genuinely good film. The cast looked awesome ad there was plenty of potential to get to know the character from a different point of view.
Boy it was a hot day yesterday. As someone who doesn’t do well in the sun, I spent much of the day avoiding it. I know many people would have taken the chance to get out and read. Not me. I just get itchy and burnt. Not the ideal reading conditions. Although, this hasn’t been my best week. I’ve barely been managing a chapter a night. I don’t know what’s happened this week but I’ve just felt so tired. Tired and achy. I was worried that I was ill but it doesn’t seem to have manifested into anything. In the current climate, any flu-like symptoms are being treated with extra suspicion. As a clinically extremely vulnerable person, I’m really not looking forward to the UK’s restrictions ending on Monday. I’ll be taking part in self-imposed shielding wherever I can I think.
Is it just me or did last week go pretty quickly? Work seemed pretty manageable. Maybe it was down to the football? People are happier and generally easier to deal with? If that’s the cast then England better bloody win tomorrow. Otherwise Monday could be a bloody nightmare. Will I be watching the game? No. I’m sure I’ll keep up with the action though as my neighbours tend to react pretty loudly whenever anything happens. Leaving me free to read.
I’m yet to be convinced by Disney’s plan to remake all of its animated film as live-action. At best, they can be described as fine. At worst, they’re pointless. The best by far is The Jungle Book because it was only slightly concerned with the original film. I guess Maleficent worked pretty well but I wonder how much that had to do with Angelina Jolie rather than the actual film. So, I wasn’t exactly hyped when it was announced that Cruella DeVil, first seen in 1961’s One Hundred and One Dalmatians, was getting an origin story. Or that she was going to be played by Emma Stone. Don’t get me wrong, I love Emma Stone but she’s no Glenn Close. The 1996 remake did many things wrong but casting Close as the villain was a genius stroke. I didn’t see how Stone would be able to compete and that was before I heard her dodgy accent.
We’re already a few days into July and I can’t tell how my reading is going to go this month. I already have most of my Spell the Month challenge ready to go and there are a few extras that I want to get through. However, it all depends on what mood I’m in. Working is getting busier and more frustrating. This will either inspire me to read more or just leave me too exhausted to do anything. Still, I feel like I’ve spent the first half of the weekend getting stuff done, which means I can actually enjoy today.
It’s been a fairly uneventful week. My reading started off pretty strong but quickly petered out towards the end of the week. I have quite a bit to get through today if I want to get my Monday review finished in time. Still, I’m pretty happy about the books that I’ve managed to read in June so far. I normally intend to read Pride books and then never get round to them. This year, I’ve actually stuck to my TBR. Is this a sign that things are changing? Doubtful but it’s a good step.
