Parker’s Lineup
Movie: Auntie Mame (1958)
Rosalind Russell plays the titular character Mame Dennis, an eccentric Grande Dame of New York society whose world changes when Patrick, the son of her estranged brother, becomes her ward. The central conflict comes in the form of Dwight Babcock, the trustee of Patrick’s inheritance who has been tasked with monitoring his education and protecting him from Mame’s ‘cosmopolitan’ influence. Then the Wall Street Crash of 1929 happens and we see the changes and Mame and Patrick’s relationship through the 1930s, with the kind of man Patrick will become weighing heavily on Mame’s mind. This film has the perfect amount of camp comedy, and, while it is older, I appreciate it on a personal level, because I hope that I’ve given the young ones in my life space to grow into themselves and insight toward their empowerment.
Available on Amazon Prime, or submit an Interlibrary Loan request
Videogame: Katamari Damacy™ REROLL for Nintendo Switch
I absolutely adored the original Katamari Damacy game on PlayStation 2 (Damacy is pronounced dah-mah-shi), and REROLL keeps the game’s kooky-kawaii aesthetic, with its vibrant colors and a kitschy Shibuya-kei soundtrack that balances with its frenetic pace. The premise is simple: The King of All Cosmos has destroyed all the stars in the sky in what can only be described as a melodramatic fit of pique, and you, the Little Prince, are tasked with rebuilding them using the katamari, a super-adhesive ball, to collect objects; it gets ridiculous fast. You start with smaller objects, like Mahjong tiles and caramels, before moving on to cabbages, squawking birds, screaming people, trees, vehicles, buildings, even whole mountains! This requires excellent hand-eye coordination and strategy. You can get stuck if you’re not careful. Crash into larger objects and you’ll knock off the ones you’ve already collected, and any living beings can knock you way off-course. Plus, you’ll encounter the most random obstacles, like dog chases, car crashes, gates closing behind you, and unprovoked avalanches. I recommend this for puzzle and strategy gamers of all ages.
Book: The rap year book: The most important rap song from every year since 1979, discussed, debated, and deconstructed by Shea Serrano
As Serrano makes clear, a year’s “most important” song is not necessarily the most popular. Rather, it innovates the genre or reflects a major cultural shift. My favorite example, the song I remember bumping from the home stereo system, is A Tribe Called Quest’s classic “Bonita Applebum,” which manages to be a beautiful love song without sending me into a diabetic coma. The Rap year book is ultimately Serrano’s love song to the genre, creating value by situating rap as the global creative revolution it was and continues to be. The combination of thorough research into several annals of hip-hop journalism and tongue-in-cheek illustrations makes this a good read for anyone who wants to get reacquainted with old favorites, discover songs they haven’t heard before, and gain insight into the lyricism and production of this uniquely Black American art form.
Available for checkout from KanShare Libraries
Book: Chronicles from the land of the happiest people on earth by Wole Soyinka
Life seems to be on the up-and-up for old school friends—Dr. Khigare Menka, once an orphan from the hills but now a respected surgeon, comes into national prominence after receiving the Independence Day Award of Pre-eminence, while Aduyole Pitan-Payne, scion of colonial aristocracy and engineering superstar, has been appointed to a prestigious post on the UN Energy Commission. Alas, the men find themselves embroiled in a conspiracy to traffic human body parts, literally a national meat market with a bureaucracy rivaling any legitimate business. Their path to the truth proves perilous as they face danger from many sources, some closer to home. In his signature wry style, Soyinka combines the eulogy of a loyal friendship with the suspense of a political thriller, and readers will experience whiplash from all the twists and turns, but he ultimately interrogates violence, be it interethnic violence, sectarian violence, or structural violence against the vulnerable as, merely, a matter of course. I’ve been familiar with Soyinka’s poetry, but knew little of his fiction before reading this. Nigeria’s unique literary tradition reflects its own brand of pluralism, and readers will encounter unfamiliar references, but that’s part of the fun of reading books from a range of perspectives; you get to learn how other people think. I can’t recommend this highly enough.
Available for checkout from the Derby Public Library
Videogame: Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch
This latest game in the beloved series starts you on a deserted island, and it’s hand-to-mouth as you forage for resources and work hard to earn bells, all so you can put down some roots and buy a house. Then, you become a village planner, developing infrastructure by building bridges, for example, and building figurative bridges with villagers to make your island the best it can be. There are lots of other activities too, including farming, diving, stargazing, and fashion design. The possibilities are nearly endless. I recommend this for anyone who wants a cozy, play-at-your-own-pace gaming experience. I also love all the cute villagers and their personalities; Cherie, the hyperactive aspiring pop star, is my favorite so far. We have a copy here at DPL if you’d like to dip you toes in.