#5SecondReview: Starship Troopers

Less military sci-fi and more a manifesto for his idea of a future utopia—one that Voerhoeven rightly skewered in his film adaptation. He makes a case for earned citizenship that ignores the risk of creating second- and third-class humans. Fascinating, but flawed.

🧶 WIP Update: The Undying Lands Throw

I’m about 15% of the way through my huge Lord of the Rings inspired project, and I did some YO learnin’! Now I have perfect row after perfect row.

The leaves of Valinor and wavy edges are finally crisp and defined. Chunky lace is definitely my new favourite. 😊

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#5SecondReview: The Pitt (S2)

Still brilliant. Wildly authentic, and it somehow hits just about every emotion every episode. About a dozen characters tie for my favourite. Not quite as thrilling as S1, but I’m glad they didn’t try to top the mass shooting scenario. That would’ve been folly.

#5SecondReview: Is This Thing On?

Will Arnett as a 50yo separated man using open mic comedy as a means of dealing with his marital issues is something I didn't know I needed. And Laura Dern as his unhappy wife? 100% authentic. Small movie, but a big win for director Bradley Cooper. Recommend.

#5SecondReview: The Drama

Zendaya and Pattinson are well cast in this vaguely Woody Allen-ish postmodern love story about a woman who is judged *very* harshly after revealing the worst thing she ever did just before her wedding. Loads of biting and insightful social commentary.

😊

Cast on The Undying Lands Throw (Tanis Gray, The Fellowship of the Knits). ✨🧶

Biggest #knitting project yet: ten skeins of wool = months of work. So I'm knitting everywhere—at home, in the car...even in my kilt. 😅 Luckily this rosy alpaca is textile heaven.

Wish me luck! 🍀

#5SecondReview: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls

Set in the south c. 1970. Shamed parents send preggo teens to a secret home to have their babies and give them away. The girls become witches and rebel. Nicely written, but the magic takes a backseat to social commentary—not quite what I was hoping for.

Thanks!😊

Skulls are always 🤘

Finished it with a braided leather drawstring and silver skull beads for thematic drama. 💀🎲⚔️

I’m unabashedly proud. Might need to make several more. I can share my pattern notes for anyone interested!

Time for a knitting brag. 🥰 🧶

I designed and knit a little D&D dice bag for my daughter.

Used organic Irish worsted wool. Played with garter/moss for texture, used K2tog and YO for shaping/eyelets. Added a soft ruffle at the top. Closed the bottom with a spiral.

#dndcrafts #handknit #knitting

She will not. Or she will just sleep through it. Or, if it’s streaming in time, she’ll do a jigsaw puzzle with the volume turned down. :)

I laughed, I cried, I was in awe—aometimes in the same scene. It’s virtually a perfect movie (at least for me).

I needed a cinematic escape and it delivered. 10/10. No notes. I hope it wins everything at next year’s Oscars.

#5SecondReview: Project Hail Mary

I honestly thought the book—one of my absolute favourites—would be unfilmable, but kudos to Lord, Miller, Goddard, and Gosling for managing to keep nearly everything (intelligently condensing some of the sciencier bits) that made it great.

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#5SecondReview: Starfleet Academy (S1)

Dig the adults (Jet Reno ftw!), but the kids are unwatchable. Exceptions: SAM has a solid growth arc, and Jay-Den Kraag could be great with more development.

The writers need to step it up. Episodes should be thrilling adventures, not emo black holes.

That's always our issue!

I leave the ones I really don't want to see until the very end (Smashing Machine, Diane Warren) and refuse to watch them until I know I'm able to see them all.

No point wasting my time on them otherwise. 😂

Whoops! Made some more Guinness sourdough bread. Couldn’t even take a picture before stuffing a buttered bit into my slobbery gob. 😋

🧶 I finished my first pair of mitts! 🧶

Now my wife has a full set of merino wool winter accessories (mitts, cowl, hat) made with lots of love. 🥰

Mistakes were made, but I'm still chuffed. A nice, even stockinette stitch in chunky wool is very satisfying.

Next up? A D&D dice bag for my daughter!🗡️🛡️

I caught them all! Last one was Little Amelie. My wife and daughter gave up, both three shy. Kristy had zero interest in going to the theatre to see Avatar, so she just stopped. And Scarlett wasn't in town to see Sirat when it was playing here, so she quit, too. Good show last night, though!

#5SecondReview: Little Amelie or the Character of Rain

Small and a bit melancholy in spots, but ultimately uplifting. Not sure it was worth an Oscar nom, but it’s a good little animated picture about a little girl who is either God or just super precocious.

Can I use your magical time tape deck, too? Pretty please?

My wife, SIL, and I attended a live filming of The Social. Second time for me, probably the 10th time for my bride. We also met the hosts after the show. They were delightful. 🙂

5SecondReview: Sirât

Relentless and shocking. Made with the boldness and audacity of someone who legitimately doesn’t give a crap about audience expectations. Really needs to be seen in theatres, if only to ensure you aren’t looking at your phone when the shit hits the fan. Deserves its Oscar nods.

#5SecondReview: Kokuho

Explores modern kabuki in Japan through the lens of a yakuza orphan who is taken in by a master actor and trained to be his adopted heir. Gorgeous costumes and makeup (worthy Oscar nom), and riveting performances from the whole cast—especially Yoshizawa as the grown orphan

Made some French onion soup with Gruyère and a sourdough baguette. 😋

Thanks! 😊

Had some leftover yarn 🧶 from the hat I knit for my wife, and it somehow became a matching cowl. No initial pattern. Just knits, purls, cables and a healthy let’s-see-where-this-goes curiosity. Far from perfect, but for my first time going freestyle? I’m pretty chuffed! Working on mittens now. 😊

OK, so you'll get two years chopped off your life, but in exchange you have absolutely perfect pearly teeth and no need for dental work. Ever. From babyhood to grave. Any takers?

#5SecondReview: Diane Warren: Relentless

This doc chronicles Warren's quest to earn an Oscar. Did not enjoy. But I don't want to be all hate-y. So here are three nice things I learned about her:

1. She has an animal rescue farm.
2. She is tenacious.
3. She's an Asperger's success story.