Emperor of The Eight Islands - Book 1 of The Tale of Shikanoko

Emperor of The Eight Islands (Book 1 of The Tale of Shikanoko) is a novel I got at Seoul Airport in order to finish of my won. I have read and liked The Tales of the Otori but really did not want to read further from this author. However I like Japanese Literature so despite the fact that the author is not Japanese I decided to give it a go with no intention of continuing the series. Well I liked it very much and want to read the rest of the three novels. And the second turned out to be hard to find, maybe I'll use one audible credit on it. 

After Life

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After Life is so good that I was happy I was able to thank Mr. Gervais in person via twitter. The story is about a man who slowly gets used to the pain of losing the love of his life, his life partner. There is some comedy in it too (and it made me laugh sometimes) but it is very raw, emotional and bleak (despite the glorious UK Countryside). People looked real and the story authentic. All in all it is a work I most highly recommend to everyone.

(Mr. Gervais is an atheist and his beliefs are addressed a few times during the show but I was not offended in the least by them, everyone can believe whatever they want) 

Toilet - Ek Prem Katha

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Toilet - Ek Prem Katha ok I like Akshay Kumar but the title of the film was one of the reasons that I did not feel like watching the film. Then I decided to give it a go yesterday and it was nice and entertaining with good messages but with a heavily respectful attitude to Authority.  I liked how authentic everything looked (in the Indian films you often see the colours and georgeous cinematography with great looking people dancing around looking amazing. But this film has normal looking Indian people and the holi festival looked like it was filmed at a real festival on a drone. Akshay Kumar's age difference with his co star is addressed and despite looking lovely he didn't dress wonderfuly or anything. Also I liked the story too (apparently it is inspired by a true story) it touched upon something I have seen in India which has shocked me (men peeing openly on the streets during day time) but the real issues were women's rights and how religion is used to control ignorant masses. All in all I enjoyed it so much that I'm even considering checking Pad Man out (another Akshay Kumar film with an off putting title) 

Lady J (Mademoiselle de Joncquières)

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Lady J (Mademoiselle de Joncquières) turned out to be very entertaining indeed. True, it serves many of my kicks - period drama, actresses with wrinkles on their faces, great costumes and set designed (all around very good art direction), a revenge story and a male lead whose appearance appeals to me (kind of like Alan Rickman) It is not Dangerous Liaisons but it is good to watch if you like the things above. I also liked that SPOILERS!!! the revenge did not really work in the end (yeah the man was a jerk and all but it was too much, too cruel) 

The Commuter

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The Commuter turned out to be entertaining despite the clichés and not being able to carry a mystery even for a minute really (especially if you have seen more than 3-4 films of this sort) and Liam Neeson is a good actor but it is not that nice to have an elderly person beat people/get beaten. Clint Eastwood is an exception to that. I'm not being ageist or anything (many of the characters in Sons of Anarchy were old/elderly and despite trying action scenes, their age was mentioned as a disadvantage more than once). Here Mr. Neeson kicks people aroung and sometimes even wins. Anyway the whole thing was predictable but entertaining. And I liked the way classic novels are promoted throughout. 

Secret City

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Secret City (Seasons 1 & 2)  This is a very good show with great actors whom I only recognise one among all the two seasons (Anna Torv, and I luckily I like her). Apart from great political intrigue and murder mystery (meaning a good script) the things I like about this show are; i) how everyone looks natural, it helps a lot not knowing the actors (I had similar reaction to Fauda) but also I love it that the women are wrinkly and not operated on, the men not all handsome hunks with an actual trans person having a crucial role to the plot, and more importantly this person has a key role in an intelligence agency not involving her going undercover or anything. I loved it (first season). The second season was tighter and better plotted and faster but I kind of liked the slow pacing of the first better. Anyway despite not rescuing me from SoA withdrawal, this one intrigued me and I enjoyed it to the last drop. 

Vengeance: Lucky's Revenge

Vengeance: Lucky's Revenge brought back fond memories of reading and loving Jackie Collins novels. The lady may not be the world's greatest literary talent but she is a fine story teller and I like reading her. This is recommended if you like a bit of early 80s nostalgia.