Movies:

Summer of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

Winner of this year’s best documentary, Summer of soul recalls the titular concert in 1960s Harlem at the height of the civil rights movement in America. The footage from the said concert was lost to time, after failing to get a studio to release the recorded footage… until now.

With a mix of interviews from does there on the day and music from the day, Questlove’s Summer of Soul is not only the best documentary of the year but among the greatest of all time.

But if the music of Stevie Wonder and Nina Simone doesn’t have you ‘feeling good’ then surely its 99% rating on rotten tomatoes is enough to at least peak your interest.

Encanto

Encanto is a delightful return to Disney’s roots, managing to match the colour and energy of earlier animations with a contemporary twist to create yet another to be Disney classic for the next generation.

However, the film does have a few ‘cracks’ in its quality. I felt the movie was lacking of bigger, richer storylines often associated with Disney’s best.

But, of course this is still a brilliant, family friendly movie for all to enjoy, especially considering the wonderful music of Lin-Manuel Miranda (although I’m told we don’t talk about that…)

The Hand of God

Nominated for Best international feature film, The Hand of God explores the lives of an Italian, Neapolitan family and their expressions of love and grief, connected through football and Maradona.

The Hand of God feels like a love letter to Naples and the Italian landscape (probably because the story is loosely based on director Sorrentino’s own childhood experiences). Sorrentino tendency to linger on shots reshapes the film as an admiration of Naples, not simply a recreation of it.

The Bite-Sized Reviews format is not long enough to give this film the justice it deserves so expect more on this film very soon. But, on a final note, it’s a shame movie lost out on the Oscar. And while I’m sure Drive My Car is fantastic, considering it was also nominated for best picture, Hand of God deserves much more credit than it will get, now that it’s lost all Oscar opportunities.

Music:

Red Hot Chilli Peppers- Unlimited Love

I have mixed feelings for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ latest album. Immediately after hearing the first song “Black summer” I was dreading the rest of the album. Trying to replicate the success of sea shanties two years too late, it spelt disaster for what was to come.

But, strangely the rest of the album is completely incongruous to its biggest track; returning to the classic Chilli Peppers style. My favourite song, “poster child” echoes the style of “we didn’t start the fire” with a flavour of the Chilli Peppers’ spice.

So, if you are a fan of previous work from the band, check out “Aquatic Mouth Dance” and “Poster Child”. Or, check out the playlist of all songs mentioned in this article in the playlist below.

Books:

More Than One Child: Memoirs of an illegal daughter – Shen Yang

Shen Yang’s memoirs tell her childhood experience growing up as a second child under China’s brutal one-child policy. Shen’s writing masterfully captures how the lives of this forgotten demographic are entangled with this policy, through the skilful retelling of her trauma and memories.

The policy’s lasting consequences are palpable throughout, especially since the book’s author still does not technically exist according to the Chinese government. More Than One Child is a spectacular read and well deserving of your time as well as a champion for translated literature; a genre visibly missing from popular English literature.

Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town – Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock’s selection of short stories from across the American West Coast, from teens, trying to escape wildfires and their past to stories of grief and loss in the cold harsh backdrop of the Alaskan landscape.

However, what separates this book from the competition is Bonnie-Sue’s intricate storytelling, connecting all the short stories into one spectacular literary mind map.

Overall, Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town is a fantastic read from start to end. Expect to see more of Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock’s work in future Bite-Sized Reviews to come.