My Full Brain

Remember a post or two ago I mentioned getting into a routine? Well, I think I found it. I'm sitting at an undisclosed location, sipping a latte, listening to Prince, and thinking about a jumble of things I want to tell y'all about. Or at least two.

Let's start with JoJo Rabbit.

JoJo Rabbit (2019)

My expectations were high, because Taika Waititi. If that's a name you're not familiar with, do yourself a favor and check out the NZ director's What We Do in the Shadows (film, not the tv show, but that's a lot of fun, too.) and The Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Shadows is one of my favorite comedies of the last 20 years. It's clever and silly and even a little sweet when you think of it in terms of enduring friendships. Seriously! I always describe it as a comedy about friendships!

Wilderpeople is also funny, but there's more to it than that. It's a sort of oddball buddies-on-the-run movie, where the buddies are two loners who are on the run from their own grief.

Back to JoJo Rabbit. This is a movie that's been splitting folks left and right. The first time I saw the trailer, everyone I was with exclaimed I WANT TO SEE THAT! Others have said "I'LL NEVER WATCH A MOVIE GLORIFYING NAZIS!" This is an actual thing someone said to me. I think the trailer makes it pretty clear that's not what this film is about. Crowds and critics alike have praised and panned. Waititi has said in his country, something being divisive is a good thing.

JoJo focuses on a young boy in Hitler's Youth Army near the end of WWII. His imaginary best friend is none other than Adolph Hitler (Waititi). JoJo is injured at a training camp, and begins spending more time at home with his Mother (Scarlett Johansson), who slips out during the day for hours, leaving JoJo to discover a young Jewish girl being hidden in a secret room. WHAT A CONUNDRUM! He asks his buddy Adolph for advice, while weighing the consequences for his mother and himself. He's seen those consequences first hand in the town square where traitors are hung for all to see. The story unfolds and by the end the comedy has fallen away, packing a pretty powerful punch.

Focusing on a young boys choice between morality and nationalistic fervor rather than just showing the horrors of the Third Reich (trust me, those get plenty of play here), is very, very clever. Morality vs Nationalism. Gosh, that sounds awfully familiar. Featuring a fantastic cast including Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, Alfie Allen, and Stephen Merchant, along with Waititi and Johansson, newcomer Roman Griffin Davis does a great job as JoJo, but its really his friend Yorkie (Archie Yates) who steals the show. I urge you to get a ticket to this one. Need more reason? There's already buzz ScarJo might get an oscar nomination, and it could a nom for screenplay.

And now, I want to take a second to talk about something dear to my heart. Picture books. I read at least one a day. I can't help it. The covers pull me right in, and I see so many while working at the library. When I read a great one, I share it with my coworkers. Or I point it out to patrons. I put it on display if there is space. I post a pic of it on my instagram and recommend it to friends with kids. But really, what I want to say is these books aren't just for kids. Picture books are for everyone. I mean, adults are writing and illustrating them. Why can't adults read them? Guess what, THEY CAN! I'm giving you permission, right here in my blog. So next time you are in a bookstore, or a library, pick one up that has a cover that draws you in. Maybe you'll laugh out loud, maybe you will tear up, but I bet you will be entertained and probably be reminded of a good lesson. Heck, maybe you'll read just the right book at the right time and you'll feel better about being different. Just, don't let me hear you say they're just for kids. That's right up there with "Sorry, I don't read." Serious offenses, friend. Serious offenses.