#the whale review

[neowitcher]

THE WHALE | FILM REVIEW

The Whale (2022) ★★★★

Drama, 1h 57m

Dir. Darren Aronofsky

Cast: Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, Samantha Morton, Sathya Sridharan, Jacey Sink

Summary:

A reclusive English teacher suffering from severe obesity attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter for one last chance at redemption. (Letterboxd)

My review (slight spoilers):

Before watching The Whale, I had set some expectations that were only half met. My expectation for amazing acting fully came through, with an incredible comeback by Brendan Fraser that is absolutely worth the hype. But rather than my expected heart-warming goodbye story, it was very dark and cold most of the time. It was a great one-location film that wasn’t easy to watch but I still highly recommend it.

The story portrays the evils of depression and the addiction it leads up to and it is heartbreaking beginning to end. Even more so are the moments between Charlie (Brendan Fraser) and Ellie (Sadie Sink). Since I expected something more heart-warming, their toxic dynamic came as a great shock, especially as it just kept going. Whenever Ellie would reject Charlie’s advances to get to know her, something in Brendan Fraser’s facial expression would be so touchingly painful, I couldn’t help but feel so much for his character. He could act with his eyes alone which makes his performance worthy of that Oscar nomination. Ellie’s character isn’t easy to act out either as she is very conflicted, and it really showed Sadie Sink is a young actor to watch. The final scene became that much more heartbreaking after everything that was said and done between them both, I’m glad I wore waterproof makeup to the theatre.

Great acting isn’t just found between those two but with the whole cast, which consists of a pretty small number. The most outstanding performance to me was that of Liz (Hong Chau). I daresay she might have been my favourite supporting actress of the entirety of that year. Whenever she was on screen, my eyes were on her and the perfect way she delivered each and every line. The chemistry between her and Fraser on-screen was beautiful and if the film had been just about the two of them, it would already have been amazing.

I’m glad Charlie’s homosexuality was established early on because it made the references to queer literature (Moby-Dick, Song of Myself) a lot more valuable. As a literature student, it added more layers and points of interest to the story and makes me appreciate the writing more, even though it isn’t incredibly subtle.

The Whale is heartbreaking but with Charlie’s naturally positive personality, it still held on to some heart-warming moments and was surprisingly uplifting and empowering at times. Needless to say, its topics of death, depression and eating disorders are all quite triggering so it feels vital to be in the right headspace to watch. An incredible comeback that makes me excited for anything with Brendan Fraser and the rest of the cast in the future!

[tinyreviews]

The framing with the book essay. The payoff at the end. Wow. What a powerful story. MUST WATCH!

The Whale is a 2022 American psychological drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky and written by Samuel D. Hunter, based on his 2012 play of the same name. It stars Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, and Samantha Morton.

[agentnico]

The Whale (2022) Review

So I recently rewatched Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. And now that I’ve seen it I can’t unsee it - the mayor in that movie, once he gains all that weight from eating all that junk food that’s falling from the sky, looks exactly like Brendan Fraser in The Whale. I don’t just mean the weight, though that too. I mean, the hairstyle, the eyes and everything. It’s uncanny.

Plot: In a town in Idaho, Charlie, a reclusive and unhealthy English teacher, hides out in his flat and eats his way to death. He is desperate to reconnect with his teenage daughter for a last chance at redemption.

You always get that one movie every year where all the critics are raving about this one great performance from an actor that is a shoehorn in for an Oscars win, and then you yourself go see the film and you realise it’s overrated. The Whale is not that. Brendan Fraser needs that Oscar. Let alone the guy has been crapped on by Hollywood and this is one hell of a comeback, but also his performance in this movie is unlike anything you have seen from him before, nor is it something every actor can pull off. There is so much emotion that Fraser delivers in his expressions and within his eyes, so much so that every time the camera is on him you can tell exactly what he is thinking, you sympathise and feel sorrow for him, and overall he is incredible in this movie. If there is ever a movie to watch just for an actor’s performance, The Whale is that. Also, for those worrying that The Whale will just make you depressed for 2 hours....I mean, yah, that is what it does, however it does it in style! No? Not good enough for ya? Okay, go watch Puss in Boots instead ya losers!! That being said, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a surprisingly awesome animated sequel so if you choose to see that instead I can’t really judge. 

The Whale comes to us from director Darren Aronofsky, and that is both a pro a kind of a detriment to the movie. The positive is that he’s able to get the best performances out of his actors, and he manages to get a few interesting shots whilst only using one location, since the movie plays out more like an on-stage play, with all the events transpiring in Charlie’s flat, or the balcony out the front door. However the downside is that this is typical Aronofsky in that the movie can be very grotesque, so much so that it may overshadow the main message of the movie. From the very first moment when we’re introduced to Fraser’s Charlie, we find him all sweaty whilst masturbating profusely, followed by a heart attack after he climaxes. It’s as if Aronofsky wants you to think how disgusting this guy is. However then Fraser straight away portrays the character with such tenderness and empathy, that it seems like the director and the actor both have different motivations. Aronofsky, evidently is more focused on the journey of transforming an ugly individual into something beautiful at the end, whilst Fraser from the beginning sets out to show that this guy Charlie has something good and earnest in him right away. Personally I prefer Brendan Fraser’s approach, as we don’t need to see Charlie be shown so negatively. The enjoyment comes from seeing him in his happy moments and fix things he might have broken previously, however he’s already at his lowest. We don’t want to see him suffer anymore, we just want to see him actually succeed in something or at the very least find a glimmer of light in the midst of all the darkness. And also all the backstory of Charlie’s actions are discussed amongst the characters’ dialogues, so there’s no reason to make him now physically repulsive too. Especially since the movie’s main intention is to show that overweight people have more to them than just their physical layers. Anyway, my point is that Aronofsky’s fondness for the grotesque sometimes downplayed the film’s overall narrative message. Again though, Fraser manages to make Charlie so damn likeable that no matter how much greasy chicken he stuffs in his mouth, he’s still super adorable.

Besides Brendan the other cast members are all on form here. Hong Chau plays Charlie’s nurse and best friend, and seemingly the only truly honest character who doesn’t have a single bad thought, and she was really good. It was nice seeing someone good in Charlie’s life, who otherwise is only surrounded by constant negativity. Sadie Sink off Stranger Things fame does well in her part as Charlie’s daughter, and again as a child actor shows humongous talent, however he character does come off a bit over the top. She’s the typical moody teen who feels abandoned by her parent, however this character is so unpleasant and Aronofsky goes out of his way to show her as this despicable entity, that it makes it really hard to believe Charlie whenever he showers her with compliments about how brilliant and amazing she is. Samantha Morton also shows up in quick cameo appearance and manages to nearly steal the entire show from everyone. 

Being that this movie is set in only one location, a lot of the emotion comes from the musical score that is used to amplify the more dramatical moments. And the music is fine. Rob Simonsen embraces empathy in his notes well, however I was very much reminded a lot of film composer Johann Johannsson who passed away a few years back, as I feel like he would have really done justice to this movie and would have wrote a musical accompaniment that really stuck out.

The Whale is the type of movie that truly rests on it’s main actor’s shoulders. But my gosh is that central performance so good, and I really hope it brings Brendan Fraser properly back to our screens, as he has now shown that he has grown more and is able to provide such nuanced and heavyweight acting roles. Let the Brenaissance commence! And give that man an Oscar already! 

Overall score: 8/10

[wroteonedad]

The Whale (2022)

In a short statement of this film, I told everyone around me that I wanted to watch this film, however I had to watch it by myself. This was because I knew I was going to bawl my eyes out the entire way through. *contains spoilers*

It felt as though everybody was going to watch this movie whether they were interested in the movie or not. At the end of the day, this is the comeback movie for our beloved Brendan Fraser. He manages to play the part with such grace and raw emotion that I find it difficult for somebody to not like the film. It's hard to say enjoy the film because this is not a film made to be enjoyed, if that makes sense.

The plot follows Charlie, a morbidly obese man who teaches an online English class. He spends the vast majority of his teaching time telling his students that the camera doesn't work on his laptop when in reality it comes down to him not wanting to be seen by anyone. In the movie, it follows Charlie's last week to live. He spends this time teaching a couple of classes, meeting new people and attempting to reconnect with his daughter whom he had lost contact with. On the other hand, Charlie is so depressed due to the love of his life committing suicide that he also spends a lot of his time binge eating and theoretically trying to kill himself faster.

I think for me, I have always found it so hard to watch someone binge eat; I can't bring myself to watch mukbangs and I also become ashamed of myself if I ever eat too much in one sitting. Perhaps it is closed minded for me to say this, considering I am a very healthy weight and have never had to deal with any emotional turmoil close to what Charlie was living through, but for years I feel as though I have had a weird relationship with food and to watch a person on a screen destroy themselves like that is heart wrenching to me.

For this film to be Fraser's return to the big screen after years, it is incredible. I don't think it would be possible to cast anyone else who would be able to play the role to the standard that he does. Despite the piece being completely fictional, I really believed every word that came out of his mouth during the movie and for that, I was left a sobbing mess for a good portion of the film. Of course, this film isn't close to having the best dialogue. Many of the lines feel like a half empty glass, as if there was supposed to be more emphasis on it, but there just wasn't. It felt as though Aronofsky was hoping that the actors would make it better by putting more emotion into their voices and into the way their bodies would move across the small living room set. I think it worked for the most part.

I have read many reviews in regards to this movie and it has to be one of the most mixed bags I have ever come across. Words shouting out claiming that it is simply a movie about a fat man written by a skinny man or that it 'sucked', written by a journalist trying to reach Amy Schumers level of ironic (that is what sucks if I dare to say it). Others remark that Frasers performance is passionate and poetic. I think sometimes when watching a movie, it is not always best to overthink the movie and instead just simply take in what is happening as it's happening.

[spotlight-report]

"The Whale" Movie Review

"Fraser puts his all into his role" Check our #TheWhale Movie Review

Darren Aronofsky‘s latest film, The Whale, is simultaneously his most restrained film yet and a sort of flagship for his particularly unrestrained technique. Based on a play by Samuel D. Hunter and featuring Brendan Fraser as Charlie, delivering a performance in a fat suit that will likely win an Oscar (and his performance will too), this is a film determined to antagonise the hearts of the…

[gurrenhime]

My ★★★★ review of The Whale (2022) on Letterboxd:

[ohyoubringmejoy]

The Whale (2022): REVIEW | LEFFEST DAY 7 | Danixinhahhh

[coulson-is-an-avenger]

hey did you know there's an album loosely adapting moby-dick that has wlw starhab specifically starbuck being ahab's secret admirer while ahab and fedallah (who is also a woman) are lovers apparently. yeah just thought i should let you know you'd seem interested (the album makes a LOT of weird choices and is not a Good adapation at all... but the music does slap and also we get canon doomed lesbian starhab hello). just to let you know

HEY WHAT THE FUCK. ANON PLEASE SAY MORE RIGHT NOW I AM PRESSING MY FACE TO THE GLASS???? CANON FEDALLAHAB AND STARHAB???? PLEASE TELL ME THE NAME OF THIS I AM BEGGING 👁💙👁

[astoundingbeyondbelief]

Kaiju Weeks in Review (July 16-29, 2023)

Legendary announced a pair of Monsterverse comics during a panel at San Diego Comic Con. They've said nothing further since, and no one posted the panel online, so I have less to tell you than I'd like. Godzilla x Kong: The Hunted is the obligatory prequel comic for the film. From the pages they showed off, it looks like Zid has art duties again (well-deserved) and the monsters that Kong is fighting could be the "swamp kitt[ies]" cut from Godzilla vs. Kong. Release date is February 27. Monsterverse Declassified is going to spotlight some of the series' original monsters, with the previews showing Behemoth, Amhuluk, and Tiamat. (Supposedly Scylla, Doug, and the previously-unseen Abaddon will be in it too.)

Toho is finally letting Togen's 4K scans of some of its Godzilla films out of satellite TV jail as tie-ins to Godzilla Minus One. Godzilla (1954) and Mothra vs. Godzilla are coming to 4K Ultra HD on October 25, with Ghidorah, the Three Headed Monster, Invasion of Astro-Monster, and Destroy All Monsters on November 22 and Godzilla vs. Hedorah and Godzilla vs. Biollante. Expect them to be as English-unfriendly as Toho's other releases - but a vague promise of "unused special effects footage", combined with some very crisp-looking photos in a recent book, means there's a chance the Frontier Missile sequence from Godzilla vs. The Thing will be included with Mothra vs. Godzilla. That'd be a godsend, considering how elusive an uncropped, uncut, high-quality version of the scene has proven to be.

These releases will easily be the best Mothra vs. Godzilla, Ghidorah, Astro-Monster, and Biollante have ever looked on home video. But with Togen shutting down, it's unclear when the rest of the pre-Shin films in the series will get upgrades. (It's also unclear when Toho will permit anyone outside Japan to use these versions for streaming or home video.) So this announcement feels bittersweet to me.

We have a release date for GAMERA -Rebirth- (September 7), a second trailer, and a reveal for the final monster: Viras! As @starestream pointed out, there's a lot of Legion in that design (along with Iris in Zigra). And as Maser Patrol pointed out, this is the same enemy kaiju lineup that Trendmasters chose for its toyline back in 1998. Poor Barugon, no one wants to taste the rainbow (and it probably hurts that he's so visually similar to Jiger too). To be honest, this trailer didn't do much for me; a bit too chaotic. Hopefully it'll be easier to tell what's happening in the show proper.

Bandai, of course, has readied Movie Monster Series figures of Viras, Zigra, and Guiron already. We're also getting a prequel manga set 100,000 years before the show.

Decades after his rampage through the Marvel Universe, Godzilla is barging into the world of DC (where he'll finally meet Batman). Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong is a seven-issue limited series launching October 17, written by Brian Buccellato (who also penned the short "Fight or Flight" comic that will be included in Legends of the Monsterverse: The Omnibus later this year) with art by Christian Duce. The inciting incident is a battle between the Justice League and the Legion of Doom, which tears a hole in reality to let the Monsterverse through.

I'll confess, I was more jazzed for last year's Power Rangers crossover, thanks to the tokusatsu link. This could just be more of Warner Bros. Discovery bashing its toys together. I'm most curious to see if the Legion of Doom makes a bid to conquer the Monsterverse, which with Godzilla and Kong out of the picture is far less prepared for them than the DC universe is for a couple of giant monsters. Superman beats them all, as Ken Yano once said.

Hiya is stepping further out of S.H.Monsterarts' shadow with a figure of the female MUTO, a character long neglected by toymakers. They showed her off at San Diego Comic Con. Playmates meanwhile releases an ad for Titan Tech Rodan - I'm glad they're not giving up on this delightful subline.

Summer Smash concludes IDW's middle-grade Monsters and Protectors storyline, which has spanned the entirety of their second go-round with Godzilla. You can tell it was supposed to be another miniseries; Godzilla, Jet Jaguar, and Mothra send Mecha-King Ghidorah and the Xiliens packing pretty quickly. Art's still great though.

Godzilla Rivals will persist into October with Vs. Mechagodzilla, the magnificent machine being the last of the Toho's Big Five to headline one of these comics. The intriguing logline:

IS YOUR CITY BESIEGED BY KAIJU? DO YOU LIE AWAKE AT NIGHT ANXIOUSLY LISTENING FOR THE MONSTER SIRENS? HAVE YOU HAD ALL YOU CAN TAKE OF GIANT LIZARDS, MOTHS, PTERODACTYLS, AND SHRIMP? THEN CALL TRACER TECH TODAY! OUR STATE-OF-THE-ART ANTI-KAIJU TECHNOLOGY HAS ALLOWED DOZENS OF CITIES AROUND THE WORLD TO FEND OFF THE THREAT OF MONSTER ATTACK. San Palomar, California. It’s a sleepy city with not much going on. That is, until Tracer Tech built their new corporate headquarters there, displacing lifelong citizens and forcing out local businesses. But what is the source of Tracer’s amazing, almost alien technology, and why has it put San Palomar in Godzilla’s sights? And what can a couple of local kids like Alex and Jaz do to protect their city when the King of the Monsters and its robot doppelgänger clash?

SRS Cinema has opened preorders for The Whale God, revealing this cover art by Bob Eggleton. Special features aren't anything spectacular (they're vaguely described, but I think a couple of essays are included, plus the obligatory trailers). Should be out by the end of the year.

The disc replacement program for Cleopatra Entertainment's misbegotten Shin Ultraman releases has resulted in an only marginally better product. The opening montage has subtitles now... but like the rest of the movie, they're just copied from the English dub. Dubtitles in 2023... and for a film that already has a perfectly good official English translation, no less. Oh, and they threw in some new visual glitches too. If your local library picks up a copy, I recommend telling them about the disc replacement program (as I've done), but don't give these clowns your money.

[virusreviews]

2023: The Rise in Father/ Daughter Movies

The Last of Us, Aftersun and The Whale are a handful of recent projects that have gifted their audiences with the beauty of father/ daughter relationships. An uprise in Hollywood men being paired with upcoming actresses has stirred up family dynamics on the screen; it has believably stemmed from the fandom insurgence of older men being worshipped on the Internet. Not many can complain at how well these production companies have executed their positive portrayals of familial love. From a nostalgic and tear welling story like in Aftersun to high tension and eventual bonds in The Last of Us, no one can be disappointed by this expanding trope.

[thewarmestplacetohide]

Dread by the Decade: The Invisible Man

👻 You can support or commission me on Ko-Fi! ❤️

Source Material: The Invisible Man by H. G. Wells Year: 1933 Genre: Sci-Fi Horror Rating: UR (Recommended: PG-13) Country: United States Language: English Runtime: 1 hour 11 minutes

Director: James Whale Cinematographer: Arthur Edeson Editor: Ted Kent Composer: Heinz Roemheld Writer: R. C. Sherriff Cast: Gloria Stuart, Claude Rains, William Harrigan, Henry Travers, Una O'Connor

Plot: A scientist creates a potion that turns him invisible at the cost of his sanity.

Review: A fun, if occasionally silly, sci-fi horror with an unsettling central concept, exceptional special effects, and memorable set pieces.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Story: 3.5/5 - Interesting and tense, though some elements feel like they could have been explored more, such as Jack's initial experiments. Some comedic bits also go on for a bit too long.

Performances: 4/5 - Everyone does a very solid job, including Rains, who often has to rely solely on his voice.

Cinematography: 4/5 - Some really clever camerawork when displaying Jack's invisibility.

Editing: 3.5/5

Music: 3/5

Effects: 5/5 - Just amazing. Pretty much every scene involving Jack looks remarkable, especially when he's undressing.

Sets: 3.5/5 - Not terribly memorable but they don't really need to be. Well laid out and dressed.

Costumes, Hair, & Make-Up: 4.5/5 - Jack's look as the Invisible Man is deservedly iconic.

Trigger Warnings:

Mild violence

Brief mention of animal abuse

[saltyseas121]

Just wanted to show people the some of my favourite books I've read on the ocean as a recommendation for your future reading 😏

The Secret Life of Fish by Doug Mackay Hope

It has a few pages for each fish with really pretty illustrations. I love how it focuses on a variety of different freshwater and saltwater fish as well as appreciates the beauty and life of fish who are seen as more scary or ugly compared to others!🐟

Also I like the cover :)

How to Speak Whale by Tom Mustill

Very interesting book about (obviously) whale communication. I like how it goes into different studies of animals like monkeys, birds and dolphins to find his answer too. You can tell a lot of hardwork went into the book. I learnt loads about whale intelligence and anatomy reading this.🌊

Emperors of the Deep by William McKeever

Made me appreciate sharks so much more. It also goes into commercial fishing and not only how it affects sharks but the people on board. If you like sharks (which I've noticed more people are starting to) definitely read this.🦈

On the trail of the whale by Mark Carwardine

One of my favourite books ever. Its about a whale watcher going to different places across the world. The random pages full of whale photography from the author was my favourite thing about this book! Every picture was perfect especially when you knew the context/story behind it.🐳

Shell life on the seashore by Philip Street

This is the very first ocean related book I ever got. I loved collecting shells before my obsession with the sea began and this book told me all about the creatures that once lived in them. It focuses on molluscs (again obviously) and started me on sea slugs/snails and then octopuses until I got to the point of just loving every ocean creature there is. Without this book I wouldn't of started to appreciate the oceans and rivers ect as much as I do now.💕

The soul of an octopus by Sy Montgomery

This book made me really really love octopuses! It taught me about how they live and how intelligent they actually are. After reading this book it stopped them from being gross aliens for me and made me see how beautiful they were inside and outside. I also liked the little flipbook thing of an octopus swimming on the corner of all the pages🐙

Remarkably bright creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

This book is literally the one of only ocean themed book I've read that is fiction🥲 It made me cry so much but I won't spoil it just in case! It's about an old lady who lost her son a long time ago working as a cleaner in an aquarium where she meets an octopus that enjoys escaping his tank every night. Very sweet book with a happy ending.

I really recommend trying out a few of these books especially if you like fish!

[kdramafeverr]

“The shock of moving from one space to another is very overwhelming for me. If I count to three and take a deep breath before going in, it lessens the shock a bit.” – Woo Young Woo

bonus: (lee jun ho counting with woo)

[wollybunny]

Extraordinary attorney woo Ep 9 — my tiny thoughts

Ok don’t mind this lq gif; it’s just my favourite part ever 😭

Some bits and pieces I thought were lovely for Youngwoo & Junho 🐳🐋

In the eyelash scene, Youngwoo was clearly more open to physical touch and intimacy — she didn’t really flinch or shut her eyes this time, and it was obvious that she had butterflies in her tummy the ENTIRE TIME!! (From the way the hurried off after, it was evident!)

In the same scene, Junho was obviously prolonging contact with her for obvious reasons 😩 and can we talk about the way he held her shoulders in the middle? Totally unnecessary but look at this Junho seizing the opportunity and going in for the kill

Youngwoo having lunch in the cafeteria instead of bringing her own lunchbox; though it was still kimbap but I think it really shows her embracing change in her life, slowly. And the fact that the scene was with Junho made it all the more significant

Even when Junho was jealous, he STILL couldn't help but smile when he saw Youngwoo smile — if this doesn't scream pure love then I don't know what does

The ways Youngwoo expresses her love to the person she likes — by taking care of them in the ways she receives love (though she followed the advice of kimbap ahjussi, but still). I’m pretty sure she considers these acts of love too, and her extending the same to Junho was just plain heartwarming 😩 especially the sidewalk scene, where Junho counters her by saying ‘shouldn’t I be the one to walk on the outside’ Ahh. He wants to protect her… we stan a neon green flag

Junho protecting her in the convenience store when the kids swarmed in :")

Them around kids — please… I was swooning so hard because now I can’t stop thinking about their married / family life. But Youngwoo being comfortable around kids is really something I enjoyed watching; she even became so much less inhibited. Junho was obviously admiring her in that scene 🫠

Youngwoo’s smiles. So many smiles in this episode. Was so happy watching her

How Youngwoo confessed not once but twice. It’s so refreshing that she didn’t back down; in fact, Junho keeping mum after he first confession only fuelled her desire to make her feelings more known. I think that’s beautiful, that she’s exploring this side of her emotions.

Junho’s confession — AHH. Screaming, crying, throwing up, punching the air. That OH moment from him was pure gold and the way he practically sprinted out of his house to see Youngwoo? It sent tingles down my spine. What’s even better is that his OH moment came after such a simple realisation (thanks Attorney Kwon lol) that he does not have the thought that it won’t work out between them. And that in itself, is enough for him to welcome his love for Youngwoo, despite his reservations whether he can be good enough for her, or their potential road bumps they might face down the line. It’s so simple, but a very crucial turning point for Junho, imho :”)

And the fact that the confession happened at the revolving doors — the place where they first met — is really them coming full circle, almost. And Youngwoo going round in circles in those revolving doors (and no longer terrified of it) + Junho coming in to hold the door for her — it's as if he's saying 'let me take care of you from this point onwards, Youngwoo-ya,' TT_TT

At this point, I’m slightly worried about tmr’s episode and if they are going to throw more roadblocks for our whale couple, but I’m interested to know how they will work things through.

Me thinks that Junho will be ever patient with Youngwoo; I mean, the fact that he’s even placing such emphasis and thinking about more deep matters if they start a relationship already says that he’s not taking this — and her — lightly. Far from it, because she’s way too precious to him.

And for Youngwoo, Junho is probably the first person she’s felt such intense attraction to that she might not know what to do with all these novel feelings / emotions; I hope she will continue to explore such changes TOGETHER with Junho, hand in hand.

Yes, hand in hand — I’m claiming it :-) 🙌🏼

[myrmyrtheorca]

*yawns*

I can't get out of bed T T' had a very bad stomach ache tonight with the worst cramps I've had in a while

Now I'm in that middle stage where you're not sleepy enough to fall back asleep but also have 0 energy and motivation to get up and be productive *yawns*

How do you guys shake away the eepiness?

[balaenabooks]

I regret to inform my Whale Weekly peeps that this novella written as a scifi sequel to Moby Dick, in which Ishmael is flung millions of years into a future where the ocean is too toxic for most life and whales rule the skies instead of the seas...isn't very good.

The Ishmael in this book is basically indistinguishable from most generic Pulp Scifi Action Hero guys. He makes occasional references to his old life, but they feel superficial and have little to do with his personal feelings or the plot. The only nod to his relationship with Queequeg (and it's only brought up once) is that when he cuddles Love Interest Girl he thinks of cuddling Queequeg. Love Interest Girl falls hard for him and pretty quickly. The book takes a hard turn at the halfway point into some white savior nonsense. Women characters are pretty sparse and are ultimately valued as breeding stock mothers to safeguard the critically endangered human race. The final battle feels rushed with an unearned 'peace and love/triumph of the human spirit' message tacked on at the very last second.

I was really looking forward to The Further Adventures of Our Lad Ishmael, but this was wildly disappointing. If anybody's got any recommendations for books like this but, well, good, please hit me up.