2 Guns

Film: 2 Guns

Director: Baltasar Kormakur

Cast: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, Paula Patton

Genre: Action

Year: 2013

Streaming: Amazon

Concoction of Hollywood action films are rogue agents betrayed by their departments like CIA, FBI, DEA, SWAT, SEALs, City+PD; gun blazing villains, explosions, chasing in the middle of populous streets, estranged/loving family. You get the drift.

Despite the usual formula they are mostly enjoyable. In 2 guns protagonists Bobby ( Washington) and Stig (Walhberg) plan to rob a bank across the diner.  Each is unaware of other's true profession, that is Bobby with DEA and Stig with navy.  Their intention is to catch Mexican drug lord, Papi Greco who accumulated an insane amount of drug money in the bank's safety. The operation goes haywire and the menace unfolds.

Watch if you enjoy action films.

The Mexican Gothic

Image Source

Book: The Mexican Gothic

Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Genre: Horror

Language: English

“A woman who is not liked is a bitch, and a bitch can hardly do anything: all avenues are closed to her.”

Finally I was able to break the self-imposed jinx of not reading horror genre. Many moons ago I was over-enthusiastic to watch horror movies, be alone or in company to the disapproving look of many. If I think now I drifted away mainly because of the repetitive narrations and concept.

I heard many raving about it on SM. To boot it has won Goodreads 2020 award in horror category.

Noemi, a young woman living her life to the fullest doing what rich socialites do. She was summoned by her father after receiving a disturbing letter from her cousin, Catalina saying her husband is poisoning her.  She was sent from Mexico City to understand things better. In High place, a remote mansion she meets her cousin's husband, his father, cousin, and cousin's son. There are many rules were in place like no smoking, no talking during dinner, so on and so forth. From the beginning Noemi senses the eerie feeling coming out of the house. During the short stay she tries to understand her cousin's condition and in no time she realizes she herself need the rescuing from this godforsaken place.

The house reminded me so much about Manderly of 'Rebecca'. Without giving away much I have to say I really enjoyed this one. Waiting for the screen adaptation to be released soon.

Homegoing

Image Source

Book: Homegoing

Writer: Yaa Gyasi

Genre: Historical fiction

Language: English

“We believe the one who has power. He is the one who gets to write the story. So when you study history, you must ask yourself, Whose story am I missing? Whose voice was suppressed so that this voice could come forth? Once you have figured that out, you must find that story too. From there you get a clearer, yet still imperfect, picture.”

The story begins in late 1700, of two women living in Ghana. Despite sharing a mother their lives move in a different directions, one being the wife of a rich slave trader and other being a slave. The narration takes us through seven generations of same family.

Racism, slave trade, and violence are explained in graphic details. So, stay clear if you are faint hearted.

I vaguely remember reading about 'Door of no return' a few years ago. Here, I get to know about that in gory details.

It's a wonderful read of the year. I was surprised to know this is Gyasi's debut. I sure will be picking Transcendent Kingdom in coming days.

Parker Pyne Investigates

Image Source

Book: Parker Pyne Investigates

Author: Agatha Christie

Genre: Mystery/Crime

Language: English

A collection of 14 short stories. Here the protogonist is as the title says Parker Pyne. He gathers clients by placing an advertisement in newspaper, that is "Are you happy? If not consult Mr. Parker Pyne,  17 Rhiemond Street."

I'm not a great fan of short stories. I would like to invest my time and mind on something elaborate, to be more specific a classic Christie's Whodunnit.

These stories are not bad. Each one had suspense, mystery, crime, marital problems, espionage, adventure as theme. And Parker Pyne is cool and funny, but he ain't Poiret or Marple.