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Feb 28, 2023Liked by Joel Brandt, Andrew Paul Koole

I enjoyed this post and will check out the titles I didn't already know. However, I must say, and Andrew knows I always say this but I mean it so much more for this title, White Oleander must be experienced as a book. The poetic language employed by author Janet Fitch elevates the story in a way that the film does not and cannot capture.

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Good to know!! I'll make sure to check out the book.

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I totally agree. I haven't seen the film, but I read the book, and it packed quite a punch.

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Tbh, your vacation sounds like my ideal version of retirement. A slower pace surrounded by only what (and who) matters? Yes please.

That aside, how long of a drive is that? I'm not exactly an expert on Canadian geography, but southern BC to northern Saskatchewan seems like quite a haul. Am I off here?

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You are not off. How long did it take, Joel, three days? Four? It depends how far north.

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Feb 25, 2023·edited Feb 25, 2023Author

Yes that would be quite the trek, but we flew the majority of the way. Landed in Saskatoon and then drove 3 and a half hours north from there! Still only about halfway up the province but one of the northernmost parts of the area that contains the vast majority of the population.

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The movie selection highlights a mind-boggling gap in my viewing history. I want to see all those films, and have seen none. I should rectify that.

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All definitely recommended! (with a sort of caveat for Midsommar--it's VERY well made, which means, as a horror film, it's VERY hard to watch, at least for me haha).

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Oooh. Adaptation and Magnolia both blew my mind when I first saw them.

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Adaptation! What a film. Up there with the strangest I've seen, but in the best way possible. Can anyone do it the way Charlie Kaufman can?

I watched it as a teenager/young adult with my grandfather. Would I recommend doing that? I would.

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Haha yes! Just such brilliant script writing. Love all that meta-layering and whatnot.

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