Love & Loyalty in Wartime
Half of a Yellow Sun - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Another war ignored by America (or at least in my history education): The Biafrian War between Nigeria and the secessionist state of Biafria in the 1960s. Half of a Yellow Sun is a humanizing portrait of the real casualties of war, race and class in Nigeria, and what people will do in the name of loyalty. Another excellent work by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie with characters I wish I could meet in real life.
Hauntingly Horrible Story of Genocide
Deogratias: A Tale of Rwanda - J.P. Stassen
Deogratias descends into madness after his girlfriend is killed in the Tutsi genocide in Rwanda. Between desperate attempts to get beer and thinking he's a dog, we learn about Deogratias' life before and leading up to this brutal time in history. The story sticks with you.
Aftermath of Hitting Rock Bottom
Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot
Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom to find your path. The proof is in this movie, based on the true story of John Callahan, an alcoholic who ends up paralyzed after a drunken car crash. After the accident, he discovers his talent for drawing cartoons and how much of a toll his drinking is taking on his life. Commence AA meetings and an upward trajectory.
Gotta Do More Than Gram
Atlanta: Season 1
Two cousins trying to fake it 'til they make it in Atlanta's rap scene. Spoiler: Life isn't as glamorous as it seems on Instagram. Excellent writing, acting and commentary on modern rap and race in America.
Michael Moore Tackles Trump Era
Fahrenheit 11/9
Another biased but compelling story from Michael Moore. This time, he tackles the Trump era and makes a case for why the U.S. could be heading in the direction of Flint, Michigan. If you hate Trump and feel the Bern, you'll like this.
Talk About Crazy Cat Ladies...
Catwalk: Tales from the Cat Show Circuit
Apparently, Canada's cat show circuit is on the verge of turning into a cat fight. This light-hearted documentary follows the regulars at these shows. An entertaining pick for anyone who likes cats.
Fantastic Animation with Timely Theme
Isle of Dogs
Watch this for the animation. It's beautiful and a refreshing departure from the bright colors and constantly changing scenes of most cartoons. It's kind of dark, but the message about the dangers of "othering" (whether it's a dog or a person) is timely. Personally, I was disappointed that there were only two female dog characters and both of them would have been stereotypes of women had they been human.
Pick This Before Anything Else:
Deogratias. It's powerful and beautifully illustrated. Plus all of the above I mentioned. The book's cover also has a very satisfying texture. Atlanta is what you should watch. It's smart, funny and unforgettable.
Which book are you most likely to read based on its five-word review? What movie most interests you? How would you summarize one of the selections above in five words? Let me know in the comments below. if you're looking for more book and movie recommendations, check out my five-word reviews for January.