The Light Fantastic

Terry Pratchett

Novel

On the whole a stronger work than the first book, much clearer voice and a lot funnier. Quite dramatic finale which was unexpected but very much appreciated – not a given in these humourous/satire-adjacent pieces. Dunno. Good stuff.

Summer with Monika

Directed by Ingmar Bergman, Written by Per Anders Fogelström and Ingmar Bergman

Film

Thus far this is the Bergman that I am most at loss of what to make of and also oddly most eager to rewatch with the context of some writing I’ve seen about it. I’m not really sure what I can say about it except that there are some truly great sequences – just about the most generically positive sentitment you could make – particularly in the famous stare. Will revisit this in the not too distant future! Ok I’m actually planning on doing that with a couple of his because the context of the others is making me rethink them in a positive way.

And Then There Were None

Agatha Christie

Novel

Oops I went and read a novel today. Very exciting read despite the rather so-so writing style. Kind of funny to say but the story really carried the novel, nothing about the prose was interesting. Great to have finally read such a influential by one of the two big names in the genre. Weeeeee.

D.O.A.

Directed by Rudolph Maté, Written by Russell Rouse and Clarence Greene

Film

A film noir carried through it’s shoddy character work and ok directing by the strength of its premise and the core narrative. Oddly reminiscient of And Then There Were None, but this had one truly awful character – Chester – who was insufferable for his screentime. Oddly one of the first times I can recall a Hollywood film set in the US that included distinctly foreign and Middle-Eastern associated characters – despite the ethnicities and nationalities of the cast – who weren’t the primary antagonists? Very strange how that happened. Idk this was meh but had a great ending honestly.