The Overnight (2015)

(Photo: static.rogerebert.com)

"The Overnight" is a raunchy sex comedy and is definitely not for those who dislike gratuitous nude scenes.

Written and directed by Patrick Brice this film goes from silly, to raunchy, to just plain out there. Not sure what the main point of the film is supposed to be it kind of just is.

Alex (Adam Scott), Emily (Taylor Schilling) and their son (R.J. Hermes) have just moved to Los Angeles from Seattle. While attending a child's birthday party they meet Kurt (Jason Schwartzman) after their sons start playing together. The sons getting along great Kurt invites the couple over to his house for a pizza dinner. Wanting to find new friends the couple readily agrees.

At Kurt's house they meet his wife Charlotte (Judith Godreche). Everything is going well. The kids get along and the parents are all getting along as well. When it's time for bed, Kurt suggests putting both boys to sleep and having Alex and Emily stay just a little longer to continue their conversation.

After the boys are in bed things start to get weird. Alex and Emily are shown Charlotte's promotional breast pumping videos, Kurt brings out the weed and his not safe for work paintings, the couples go skinny dipping and the night continues to progress from there.

Alex is able to come to terms with an insecurity he's had for years. Emily, on the other hand, grows more and more uncomfortable with the situations she and her husband find themselves in.

It's weird and complicated. When Kurt makes his major confession it gets weirder and more complicated. Nothing is ever resolved throughout the course of the film. You are left feeling weirded out and confused. It has its funny moments, but over all it is an uncomfortable film.

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"The Overnight"
3 stars

Rated R for strong sexuality, graphic nudity, language and drug use
Running time: 79 minutes

Eeny Meeny (Helen Grace, #1) by M.J. Arlidge

“Men were supposed to be dissociative about sex. Able to turn off their emotions and think with their dick. But Mark had never been like that.” 



This isn't necessarily an original plot. A killer is kidnapping two people at a time, depriving them of food and water, and the only way to save themselves is to kill the other person they are trapped with. While this is something you've probably at least heard of before, there are good things in the novel. One of the things I did not like was the pacing of the book. You are shown the characters before they are kidnapped, cut to the main character, Helen Grace, then cut back to the decision of the kidnapped. This is the main formula of the novel and it does get predictable.



I do think this is a good introduction to Helen Grace. Arlidge is planning on doing a whole Helen Grace series. I might check them out, but it won't kill me either if I never read another of her novels again. It is an intriguing story, but I do feel as though it could have taken more time to develop some ideas. Like I said one chapter will be dedicated to one character then jump to another and the only reason this doesn't work is because the chapters are only two-three pages long. It got annoying.



If you like thrillers, I do recommend this book. There are better ones out there, but if you're looking for entertainment only then you'll enjoy it.

With You! at Frigid New York 2016

Poster for With You!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I decided to watch "With You!" at Frigid Festival.

What I got was a one-woman show that was engaging, sweet and filled with tons of energy.

"With You!" is funny and it brings us into a place of tolerance and love. It leaves you feeling happier than you did walking in.

The story follows Una as she joins her university's rugby team. It is semi-autobiographical and we learn the value of teamwork, tolerance and love as she goes on this journey. There is a message in this play, but it is not hammered into your head. It it simply told.

"With You!" is fun and is performed by the incredibly energetic Una Aya Osato. While her character is at times awkward and unsure of herself, Una is nothing but confident in her storytelling. The production brings us into a world not many of us are familiar with: an LGBT friendly university rugby team. The story flows seamlessly from one experience to another, and the experiences are hilarious and poignant.

The show is unlike anything I have ever seen before. I know nothing about rugby and my knowledge of it didn't increase after the show, but I did experience a new appreciation towards those who feel they have to hide who they are. I am a straight woman so I have nothing to hide and it's great that the members of this rugby team found a community where they could be nothing but themselves, but as we learn when Una heads to South Africa this isn't the case everywhere. We need more communities like that of the Lesleyan rugby team.

As I headed home, I felt different. I had no one to discuss this play with afterwards, but I hope more people were inspired by it and were able to have conversations about it.