The Return of Cloud Atlas and Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid Mad City
Summary
This week, the Monitor features the return of Cloud Atlas, Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid Mad City album, and the premiere of Happy Endings season 3. With cinematic excellence, the Wachowskis, along with Tom Twike, adapted the difficult novel Cloud Atlas, a story of interrelation, karma, and reincarnation. Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid Mad City showcases his verbal dexterity, amusing personalities, inexhaustible flow, and hilarious voice. Moreover, the Monitor recommends the Happy Endings sitcom, with some of the best comedic performances on cable television, as a must-see.
Table of Contents
- Adapting David Mitchell’s Novel – the Return of Cloud Atlas
- Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, Mad City – A Masterpiece Hip-Hop Album
- Happy Endings Sitcom Season 3 – a Fantastic Comedy Performance
Adapting David Mitchell’s Novel – the Return of Cloud Atlas
Q: How did the Wachowskis and Tom Twiker adapt Cloud Atlas?
The three filmmakers braced themselves to distill David Mitchell’s novel into a movie that shows the viewers how the six different storylines, transcending from the 18th century to the future, and from continent to continent, interrelate. There was special attention put into teasing out the connection between the six different stories. They did so with ease and paying attention to the details in the book that would be lost if they decided to separate them into more movies.
Q: How was Cloud Atlas’ screening experience?
The movie was visually sumptuous and conceptually interesting. If you read the book or know the storyline, the movie is pleasant and easy to follow. However, sitting in the screening, it is difficult to discern the takeaway of someone who hasn’t read the book. This, however, does not mean you should not watch the movie.
Q: How does one handle a complexity like Cloud Atlas?
One should read the book first, then watch the movie. The book is great, and the movie is a befitting adaptation for the Wachowskis’ grandeur. Regardless, do note that some characters in the novel were stripped out, and some things were streamlined and added to suit a Hollywood movie.
Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, Mad City – A Masterpiece Hip-Hop Album
Q: Why is Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, Mad City album one of the best of the year?
After last year’s critically acclaimed Section 8 album, Kendrick Lamar signed with Dr. Dre, and successfully released the Good Kid Mad City album without losing his original essence. His verbal dexterity in the album incorporates 90s’ underground hip-hop’s signature style. He is emerging from a grassroots movement based on pure skills with the Black Hippie Crew.
Q: What is unique about Kendrick Lamar’s style in Good Kid, Mad City?
Kendrick has an incredible flow that is nothing short of genius. He can switch his style several times in a song. The album sounds natural and it’s not just Dre asking him to sound like someone else. The album features Dre’s beats but still, Lamar’s music sounds like something only he could make.
Happy Endings Sitcom Season 3 – a Fantastic Comedy Performance
Q: What makes Happy Endings such an entertaining sitcom?
Happy Endings boasts some of the best comic performances on television today. The show’s sextet shares chemistry and humor that matches that of Friends. Additionally, Damon Wayans Jr.’s performance as Brad stands out as one of the most remarkable in sitcom history, challenging Schmidt from New Girl. Furthermore, the characters hit their stride towards the end of season 2.
Q: Can one watch and follow Happy Endings without being familiar with past seasons?
Yes! One of the advantages of network sitcom plots is that they tend to be simplified, so a new viewer can still understand the storyline. Happy Endings’ third season is a good place to jump in, where watchers will enjoy some of the best joke writing on cable television.
Conclusion
This week’s Monitor showcased the best options for TV shows, novels to adapt to movies, and hip-hop albums. The Happy Endings sitcom, Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid Mad City record, and the Wachowskis’ adaptation of Cloud Atlas are all worth seeing in their different ways. Be sure to tune in next week for the beginning of the Q4 video game onslaught.
