What to read
Alex
Alex Prevost – kidnapped, savagely beaten, suspended from the ceiling of an abandoned warehouse in a wooden cage – is running out of time. Her abductor appears to want only to watch her die. Apart from a shaky eyewitness report, Police Commandant Camille Verhœven has nothing to go on: no suspects, no leads.
To find the young woman, the detective - a man with a tragic past and extraordinary abilities as an investigator - must first understand more about her.
Alex, a French crime novel by Pierre Lemaitre, is the second in his Verhœven series. The book follows a police inspector who has returned to his job following tough circumstances in his personal life and, contrary to his wishes, has been assigned a case of kidnapping.
The backcover summary was intriguing enough for me to pick it up at the previous semester’s Books By Weight, although I was surprised that it had escaped unnoticed till then. With victims falling around the protagonist like ninepins, the author ensures that the pace of the story does not slacken anywhere. Replete with twists and twisted characters until the very end, this book is a must read for anyone who enjoys crime thrillers.
-Kumaresh
-Kumaresh
What to watch
Get Out
The runaway hit of the year; this is a must-see film. First time director Jordan Peele has created a wonderful genre film in which everything feels fresh. It might sound familiar (white girl brings black boyfriend home to meet her parents) but it plays out in such a way that this psychological thriller with horror trim will have you perched on the edge of your seat from go to whoa. It's the scariest film I've seen in a while - mostly because it creeps into your head and won't let go.
By the time the words 'Get Out' are uttered, we have already been seduced - and spooked - by mind games, strange happenings and a reality in which black and white is more than a monochrome description. 'The pendulum has swung back; black is in fashion,' is a line to remember. Racial satire is key to the action and Peele (known for his comedy sketch performances) has a great feel for the integration of comedy into the dramatic tension; knowing how far he can go with his audience and makeing them enjoy the ride.
After a chilling opening sequence in a leafy neighbourhood at night complete with pizzicato strings and strange musical harmonies, we meet Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), an up and coming photographer and his pretty girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) in their city love-nest, preparing for a weekend in the country. 'Do they know I'm black?' Chris asks with the kind of anxiousness reserved for someone who wants to make a good impression. From the outset Peele builds tension using genre conventions for punctuation: sudden noises, music cues, dark shadows.
On arrival, Rose's parents Dean and Missy (Bradley Whitford and Catherine Keener) quickly point out the remoteness of their location offers 'total privacy'. There is something unusual about the zombie-like black hired help (Marcus Henderson, Betty Gabriel) and Rose's brother Jeremy (Caleb Landry Jones) is very strange indeed.
All the members of the cast are excellent and British actor Kaluuya (from Sicario) is perfect as the protagonist; it is through his eyes that the action plays out. Comedian Lil Rel Howery is fun as Chris' friend Rod, the security agent who is suspicious of everything.
Watch out for the scene in which Missy hypnotizes Chris in the dead of night, sending him to 'a sunken place'. It is terrifying. Add the group of well-dressed guests (including a blind art dealer) whose behavior is outright peculiar and the scene is a set for a nightmare weekend. Then Peele slams his foot on the pedal and ...
For maximum impact and enjoyment, it is best not to know too much; just let the characters, situations and unthinkable happenings seep into your consciousness.
It's a ripper. Don't see it alone!
By the time the words 'Get Out' are uttered, we have already been seduced - and spooked - by mind games, strange happenings and a reality in which black and white is more than a monochrome description. 'The pendulum has swung back; black is in fashion,' is a line to remember. Racial satire is key to the action and Peele (known for his comedy sketch performances) has a great feel for the integration of comedy into the dramatic tension; knowing how far he can go with his audience and makeing them enjoy the ride.
After a chilling opening sequence in a leafy neighbourhood at night complete with pizzicato strings and strange musical harmonies, we meet Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), an up and coming photographer and his pretty girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) in their city love-nest, preparing for a weekend in the country. 'Do they know I'm black?' Chris asks with the kind of anxiousness reserved for someone who wants to make a good impression. From the outset Peele builds tension using genre conventions for punctuation: sudden noises, music cues, dark shadows.
On arrival, Rose's parents Dean and Missy (Bradley Whitford and Catherine Keener) quickly point out the remoteness of their location offers 'total privacy'. There is something unusual about the zombie-like black hired help (Marcus Henderson, Betty Gabriel) and Rose's brother Jeremy (Caleb Landry Jones) is very strange indeed.
All the members of the cast are excellent and British actor Kaluuya (from Sicario) is perfect as the protagonist; it is through his eyes that the action plays out. Comedian Lil Rel Howery is fun as Chris' friend Rod, the security agent who is suspicious of everything.
Watch out for the scene in which Missy hypnotizes Chris in the dead of night, sending him to 'a sunken place'. It is terrifying. Add the group of well-dressed guests (including a blind art dealer) whose behavior is outright peculiar and the scene is a set for a nightmare weekend. Then Peele slams his foot on the pedal and ...
For maximum impact and enjoyment, it is best not to know too much; just let the characters, situations and unthinkable happenings seep into your consciousness.
It's a ripper. Don't see it alone!
What to listen
Alexi Murdoch
A British artist with a work ethic of a lazy IITian and yet one of the most soothing deep voices I've ever heard. He sings in a way that makes you stare at the stars with nothing but his voice by your side. Personal favourite songs - Through the dark and Towards the sun
-- Nirbhay
