Book Review: The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

I’ve finally taken my own advice again and read a book AFTER I’ve watched the movie it’s based on. Although in this instance, I don’t believe it really would have mattered. That’s because The Silence of the Lambs was filmed so long ago, that I feel like directors and writers took source material more seriously. I’ll get into that shortly. It struck me that since I’ve watched Hannibal, read Red Dragon, and watched The Silence of the Lambs that it only makes sense that I should read the book that film is based on. So I did!

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Fan Art Friday: Robert Pattinson

Hot off the presses is my latest drawing of Robert Pattinson! Some of the inspiration for drawing him is due to the upcoming release of the novel, Midnight Sun, by Stephanie Meyer, but it’s also because of all of the other awesome stuff he’s been involved with! Seriously, Twilight has to be the worst movie in his filmography. If you really want to watch him shine I recommend, Little Ashes, Good Time, and Damsel. These are all so eclectic and just awesome! I’m also really looking forward to what’s coming next for him, both indie and blockbuster.

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Concert Throwback: Phantogram

These past couple weeks I’ve been jamming almost non-stop to Phantogram. If you follow me anywhere on my socials, and even here, I’m sure you already know that I really like them a lot. They are one of the few bands I’ve seen in multiple states (on purpose), and they are truly amazing live (and recorded, obviously). My first opportunity to see them was in Pittsburgh, and I’ve also seen them in Cleveland, Columbus, and Las Vegas at the Life if Beautiful festival. Each time was fantastic, but at the Pittsburgh show my friend and I were able to snag the front row and it was fabulous! I was also introduced to another great band at that show called Jagwar Ma (check them out!!). The Columbus show was also really memorable because I snagged a setlist and was able to meet the band and gift them with a drawing! One of my favorite concert moments of all time hands down.

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It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – Seasons 11 & 12

At the rate I’m going, I’ll actually be finished with all 14 seasons of It’s Always Sunny is Philadelphia by the beginning of next week. That’s crazy. In just about two months I managed to watch 154 episodes of, if I’m being honest, pure genius comedy. Again, that’s crazy. Especially considering that I watch a lot of other shows and movies besides Sunny. Either way, this is about seasons 11 and 12 of the show, and they just keep one-upping themselves on ideas! These seasons is also where I’ve seen the most reference to prior season events than ever before. While you could watch an episode and still know what’s going on, it’s a nice little nod to fans who’ve watched all the way through.

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The Alienist Episodes 3 & 4

As I said last week, while the scenes are extraordinary and the acting is superb in The Alienist: The Angel of Darkness, I could kick myself for reading the book first! It is clear that I would be enjoying this second season so much more if I’d followed my own rules. Even though they are different, the book is the source material, and therefore it is “law.” So if I’d only found myself watching this with no background, I know I would be enjoying it so much more!

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Book Review: Normal People by Sally Rooney

Since Normal People had been published a few years ago, I had seen it reviewed extensively in the most praising and positive light. After finally giving it a read because of the overwhelming reception the Hulu series adaptation received, I have been swayed by it’s intensity. I am gearing up to watch the show very soon, and I can only imagine what it’s going to be like. With twelve episodes, though, I believe it will capture many nuances and details that were woven throughout Sally Rooney’s pages.

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Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story Review

Last year after watching Dirty John, I was under the impression that this well crafted dramatization of a real-life con artist and killer was going to be a limited series, and it had run its course. Garnering a handful of well-deserved nominations (Connie Britton was fabulous), I figured it was a job well done and a nice closing of a chapter. But I was wrong! Turns out they are going to possibly take many Lifetime-esque stories and expand them into series that are a little more polished than that network usually provides. Although, similar to You, Dirty John did undergo a network change from Bravo to USA, which was only mildly confusing. I also think the creators of this show didn’t think there’d be another season, because they kept the show’s original name then tacked on the new twisted tale’s tagline. Strange, but not unheard of I suppose. But I do think that gives it more of a Lifetime feel.

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