This has been quite a month. I think I’ve been fighting with my feelings about returning to school and using my time to the fullest. There is a lot of guilt involved. I don’t make sense sometimes.
Anyway, this has been more of a movie and video essay month. I wish I read more books. Here is how I rate things on a scale from 1-10.
- No redeeming qualities whatsoever visually, aesthetically, or as a story.
- It was so boring I could barely pay attention or it frustrated me SO much I couldn’t finish.
- I had a headache, but somehow made it through.
- I could make fun of it. . . because of how bad it is.
- It’s not good, it’s not bad. It’s just blah.
- There were various interesting aspects but nothing to really gush about.
- A solid story. Good characters, plot, and visuals. However, it’s not amazing.
- I genuinely enjoyed watching/reading it. I could see/read it again with friends.
- A great experience! As a film/show it is visually stunning and has an incredible story I could go back to multiple times. As a book, I could do the same.
- Near Perfect (nothing is perfect.) It has become one of my favorites. I could also write entire articles on it.
Books
Fablehaven (2006), 10/10
For centuries, mystical creatures of all description were gathered to a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary is one of the last strongholds of true magic. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite . . .
Kendra and her brother, Seth, have no idea their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws keep order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken, powerful forces of evil are unleashed, forcing Kendra and Seth to face the greatest challenge of their lives, to save their family, Fablehaven, and perhaps even the world.
Synopsis via Goodreads
So, the score is the same for all the books in this series. For the first time in forever, I read an entire series without taking a break! Although I’ve grown out of this series a bit I still really love this world and the people in it. It respects how kids react and think and gives both Kendra and Seth opportunities to shine and grow. Since I like all the books, I’ll just say what my favorite scenes are!
For this book, I actually liked the scene where Kendra gets help from the fairies and saves her family against all odds.
Rise of the Evening Star (2007), 10/10
My favorite scene in this book is when Seth overcomes the revenant through true grit.
Grip of the Shadow Plague (2008) 10/10
My favorite scenes in this book basically have their Great Uncle Patton. My favorite favorite moment with him is when he goes to the lake and calls his wife back. It is so satisfying to listen to the other naiads freak out because they thought he was dead.
I also really love it when Kendra and Warren go to the preserve in Arizona. I grew up in Arizona and I love the little homages from Native American culture I learned when I was in Elementary and Middle School.
Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (2009), 10/10
Honestly, my favorite moment is when the fairy dragon eats the evil dragon when he’s in hero form. It was very satisfying to read about his death. I normally don’t feel this way about deaths but this one was EARNED.
Keys to the Demon Prison (2010), 10/10
Hmmm, this is tough. I like it when they meet the unicorn prince guy but I also love when they go to the demon prison island and kick butt. Maybe I just like this whole book.
Sweet Bean Paste (2013) 7.5/10
Sentaro has failed. He has a criminal record, drinks too much, and his dream of becoming a writer is just a distant memory. With only the blossoming of the cherry trees to mark the passing of time, he spends his days in a tiny confectionery shop selling dorayaki, a type of pancake filled with sweet bean paste.
But everything is about to change.
Into his life comes Tokue, an elderly woman with disfigured hands and a troubled past. Tokue makes the best sweet bean paste Sentaro has ever tasted. She begins to teach him her craft, but as their friendship flourishes, social pressures become impossible to escape and Tokue’s dark secret is revealed, with devastating consequences.
Synopsis via Goodreads
I read this book because someone told me it would be like watching a Studio Ghibli movie. It kind of was. The thing that was weird to me was the sudden and ambiguous ending. What I did love was how it pointed out how those who suffered from leprosy in Japan were rejected and ostracized by society. I actually want to do some research about that on my own because I didn’t know about it.
I actually would recommend this book for those who like slice-of-life stories set in Japan.
Kilrone (1966), 7.5/10
When Major Frank Paddock and Barnes Kilrone were dashing young officers in Paris, they both fell in love with the same woman. But now they are men in exile in one of the harshest territories of the American West. It is against this inhospitable backdrop, where survival itself is a day-to-day struggle, that Paddock makes a fateful decision that will plunge both men into a headlong battle for their lives and the lives they’re sworn to protect. As Paddock leads his company of soldiers in pursuit of a Bannock war party, Kilrone is left behind to guard the post’s women and children. And before the day is over, one of them, outnumbered and outgunned, will be trapped in a fight to the finish.…
Synopsis via Goodreads
I like a good historical drama from Louis Lamour. This one was solid, but it didn’t absolutely floor me like a lot of his others have. I might have had a different opinion if I had listened to it instead of reading it from the book. But time will tell. I could tell this is one of his earlier works since it lacks a bit of substance in its character development and ending.
Webtoons/Manga
Bon Appetit (2022) 5/10
The synopsis for this Manhua was sumb so I’ll sum it up myself. Basically, a woman is reincarnated as a bumpkin princess who dies in the original novel. She can cook great food, turns out her food is the only kind the crazy male lead can eat for reasons (hint: she’s the daughter of the witch that cursed his family), so he kidnaps her and they fall in love along the way.
I’ve read a few manga and webtoons this month out of curiosity based on the art. This was one of them. It was. . . dull. It’s a romance that I know is a romance because they TOLD me it was a romance. Based on what I read though, it was mostly her being naively sort of not really afraid of the grumpy male lead. And she cooks food sometimes. Hurray. I think the female lead was also a witch for. . . reasons.
All in all, it was so average and dull that I have already forgotten most of the story.
Overprotective Lady, 6/10
After experiencing trauma at a young age, Iselle Blisha is constantly overprotected by her father and older brother. She spends most of her days confined to the Blisha Estate, only finding freedom during her secret visits to her sculpting master to pass on her blessed works of art. As if her ventures outside aren’t worrying enough for her family, Iselle runs into a bit of trouble one day and gets saved by the bloodthirsty grand duke, Lahan El Canox. And what’s more, Lahan soon visits the estate to ask for Iselle’s hand in marriage! Thankfully, the scary rumors surrounding the grand duke aren’t entirely true, and Lahan just might become the greatest shield of all for the always overprotected Iselle…
Synopsis via Tappytoon
I don’t have much to say about this webtoon. It was bland, the art was fine, and the story watery. At first, I thought it had a lot of promise since it addressed serious issues like sexual assault trauma. However, I don’t understand how the female lead could remain so blatantly naive about the male lead’s obvious flaws. The ending also was super rushed and bizarre. Oh well.
Movie
Inside Out 2 (2024), 8/10
Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone.
Synopsis via movies.disney.com
I was pleasantly surprised that this was a wholesome, well-written film that didn’t make me sigh. Woot! In all seriousness, I identified well with how they portrayed all the new emotions in Riley as a teenager. I teach teenagers so it was fun to watch what it looks like in their heads. The last scene with Joy taking control also brought me to tears.
If you haven’t seen it yet and are worried it might be the same goop Disney has been releasing you don’t have to worry.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), 10/10-4/10
After uncovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, a spacecraft is sent to Jupiter to find its origins: a spacecraft manned by two men and the supercomputer HAL 9000.
Synopsis via IMBD
I have mixed feelings about this film. It has two scores. I agree that this is a masterpiece of filmmaking. It has influenced COUNTLESS films and has amazing cinematography. So. . . I actually think it is a 10/10.
However, I HATED this movie. It was SOOOOOOOOOO drawn out. Every. Scene. Was. So. Slow. The hardest scenes for me to watch were:
- When the ship SLLOOOOOOWWWLLLYYY moves its way to the station and then the moon.
- The monkeys finding and stroking the monolith. I legitimately laughed my socks off when the monkey started hitting other bones with another bone to that serious music.
- When the men inched their way like snails to the monolith on the moon with the stupid choir singing for like. . . 20 minutes!
- When Dave travels through the color wheel vortex for. . . like 30 minutes. This scene almost killed me.
Anyway, I will never watch this movie again. It was not my thing. At all. I don’t know if I made that clear? This is the type of movie you watch and talk about with film nerds to make yourself look smart and cultured. But in your head, all you can think about is. . . how long this movie is and how stupid the monkey man looked while hitting bones with another bone.
Dungeon and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023), 6.5/10
A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers embark on an epic quest to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people.
Synopsis via IMBD
I finally did it! I watched this movie. It wasn’t as good as some people told me but it was pretty fun to watch. My favorite part was either when the main characters used that judge guy to fly from the prison or when they ran away from the FAT dragon. I don’t think I’ll see this movie again but I don’t regret watching it.
Hoppity Goes to Town (1941), 6/10
The happy tranquility of Buggsville is shattered when the populace learns that a colossal skyscraper is to be built over their tiny town.
Synopsis via IMBD
Watching this movie, I appreciate the animators and Walt Disney even more. This felt like a movie that should have been only a ten-minute short. Some of the scenes were cute but honestly, the animation was not as good as I expected from Fleischer Studios. I like the Inkwell silent shorts and some of the Betty Boop cartoons but this movie was sort of bland. But that doesn’t mean this is bad! It is just fine.
Cats Don’t Dance (1997), 7/10
Danny, an ambitious singing and dancing cat, goes to Hollywood and overcomes several obstacles to fulfill his dream of becoming a movie star.
Synopsis via IMBD
So. . . .my favorite part of this movie was the villain Darla Dimple. Her song “Big and Loud” has made its way onto my favorite musical numbers list. That girl could SING. She was only twelve when she voiced in this movie. The other songs are actually pretty good too. As for the story, it is fine. Since it came out the same year as Hercules, I can understand how it didn’t do too well at its release.
Hoodwinked (2005), 7/10
Little Red Riding Hood, the Wolf, the Woodsman and Granny all tell the police the events that led up to their encounter.
Synopsis via IMBD
I think this film has a good story and pacing. HOWEVER, the animation is so awful. I don’t blame the creators at all! It was animated by literal amateurs. At least the characters move. My favorite parts are probably the singing goat man in the mountains with all the horns and the demon children dancing for Schnitzel. I can’t recommend this film unless you like off-the-beaten-path bad animation.
Sailor Moon Super S (1995), 3/10
When the Evil Madame Vadiane kidnaps Chibi-Usa, the senshi rush to her rescue with the aid of Chibi-Usa’s new friend, Peruru. After trying to find Chibi-Usa and fight off Vadiane’s henchmen to no avail, the three outer senshi (Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto) come to their aid. To rescue Chibi-Usa before she falls into a permanent dream filled sleep, Usagi must enter the Black Dream hole and save her. With some luck and a lot of effort, Sailor Moon saves Chibi-Usa, and she transforms to help Usagi.
Synopsis via IMBD
Marty told me this would be so bad it’s funny. It was sort of funny, but it was mostly boring. The characters don’t carry the story. They just react to random things that happen to them like the candy bonbon babies (that is literally their names). . . . I know a lot of people have nostalgia for this movie. I don’t because I didn’t like Sailor Moon. I was the type of little girl who preferred things like Batman the Animated Series, Teen Titans, Gargoyles, and Dragonball Z.
This film goes WAY too fast and I have no prior knowledge or love for the characters. Which shouldn’t be a problem. I mean, Spiderman Into the Spiderverse (2018) can be enjoyed by anyone. This cannot. Nostalgia is the bread and butter of this movie. I can’t really recommend it because I barely finished it. Oh! I also think the creators “did Tuxedo Mask dirty” in this film. He just shows up sort of in one scene and gets beat up by round candy ball things. His pride is what broke the most. . . . besides his bones. . . and my brain.
Mulan (1998), 8.5/10
To save her father from death in the army, a young maiden secretly goes in his place and becomes one of China’s greatest heroines in the process.
Synopsis via IMBD
This was a pleasant surprise. I had heard the allegations from fans of how BAD the live-action movie was compared to this movie. But, I hadn’t seen it for ten years or so. . . so I had no concrete opinion.
I can now confidently say, yes, the live-action movie is kind of insulting. Mulan is a great character, and most of the scenes in this film are well-paced and placed. My favorite scenes were the obvious ones like “Reflection” and Mulan choosing to take her father’s place. I also REALLY liked the scene where Mulan and the soldiers find the desolate village and battle the villain’s army on the mountain.
Another little tidbit I liked was the character animation for Shang Yu and Shang. Movement is the main way they exhibit personality in animation and they have great movement that says a lot about them as characters. Also, the fire and smoke animation was a feast for my eyes.
I didn’t like the scenes with the ancestors. As a kid, I thought they were great. Now, I think they’re kind of unnecessary. The ending especially felt super misplaced. But besides that, I would definitely go out of my way to see this again.
Monsters Inc. (2001), 8/10
In order to power the city, monsters have to scare children so that they scream. However, the children are toxic to the monsters, and after a child gets through, two monsters realize things may not be what they think.
Synopsis via IMBD
Another trip down memory lane was pleasantly. . . well pleasant. This is a great movie, with wonderful voice acting, impeccable pacing, and world-building. I feel strange though because it is not one of my favorites anymore. This might change in the future. I never thought the day would come when I like Shrek (2001) more than this movie. Aging does things to the brain I guess. I will say, I still love the ending scene where Sulley goes back through the repaired door to see Boo again.
A Haunting in Venice (2023), 6/10
In post-World War II Venice, Poirot, now retired and living in his own exile, reluctantly attends a seance. But when one of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer.
Synopsis via IMBD
So, here I am. I watched this movie and I’m probably feeling all the wrong feelings. This wasn’t bland like many of the other movies/series I’ve read recently. It was confused. This didn’t really feel like a Hercule Poirot mystery. They could have changed the detective completely and it wouldn’t have affected anything in the plot.
What particularly bothered me about this movie was the camera work. Sometimes it helped build tension and suspense, but most of the time it was overly artistic for no particular reason. The reveal was pretty interesting, but it didn’t feel earned.
Anyway, I won’t see this movie again. It was better than Death on the Nile (2022), but it was still not as interesting or well-made as the TV series from the 1990s.
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934), 6.5/10
An ordinary British couple vacationing in Switzerland suddenly find themselves embroiled in a case of international intrigue when their daughter is kidnapped by spies plotting a political assassination.
Synopsis via IMBD
First, I want a copy of this original poster! Second, Peter Lorre was the best part of this movie. (Peter Lorre is an underappreciated actor and film icon to be sure.) Overall though, this was a very average, uninteresting mystery movie. I think my expectations were really high for this movie because Alfred Hitchcock directed it shortly after studying with German Expressionists and establishing himself as a director in England.
The biggest problem is most of the actors in this movie are pretty average. I also felt the lack of a good musical score. I guess I’ve been spoiled by silent film scores helping to pave the way for great soundtracks. Besides me definitely wanting to buy this movie poster, I can’t think of anything really amazing about this film (besides Peter Lorre).
Shows
Crash Course in Romance (2023), 7.5/10
A mother with a heart of gold navigates the cutthroat world of private education when her daughter tries to join a celebrity math instructor’s class.
Synopsis via Netflix
This was a pretty cute show with some good characters and story arcs. I wouldn’t go out of my way to watch it again though because I thought some things just sort of resolved themselves in odd ways. The murder mystery bit was really well thought out for once! The main guy was not all that interesting to me either. Which is an issue if I’m going to sit through a romance series. I have to be invested in his character. All in all, I do think you’d like this if you prefer slice-of-life/family-oriented stories.
Chocolate (2020), 6/10
Brought together by meaningful meals in the past and present, a doctor and a chef are reacquainted when they begin working at a hospice ward.
Synopsis via Netflix
I tried to finish this. I went into this show for a slice-of-life, feel-good romance show like Summer Strike. It is more like a sad high school romance drama show. So many bad things happen to the main female lead and male lead that it’s a wonder they aren’t in a looney bin…or dead. Here are some of the things that happen to the female lead.
- The female lead was groomed by her mother to be an actress and abandoned in a building when she lost her value.
- On that same day, the female lead almost dies when that building collapses.
- After the building collapsed, she suffered from PTSD, and she had to work through it at the hospital into her 20s.
- She falls in love with this boy (cough the male lead) and flees to Greece because she can’t have him. Sort of. It’s a bit more complicated because his best friend really liked her and she felt it wasn’t right to stay anymore.
- She almost dies in a car accident and has to have brain surgery.
- Her ex-boyfriend, who is also the male lead’s best friend, dies from an unknown illness.
- Someone almost commits suicide after using her to leave a hospital to meet an old friend.
I could keep going, but it hurts my brain to think about this more. I kept waiting for happy things to start healing the female and male lead. But that doesn’t happen even up through 8 one hour episodes. Sigh. . .
Bluey (2018), 10/10
The slice-of-life adventures of an Australian Blue Heeler Cattle Dog puppy as she has fun with her family and friends in everyday situations.
Synopsis via IMBD
I fell in love with this show! I have joined the huge fan club across the world that follows and dissects all these episodes. Most kid shows are dumbed down for kids, which makes sense! Some media is for kids and that’s okay. However, this not only appeals to kids but speaks in a way that makes the adults speak and act like adults. It is kind of like watching what Mr. Rogers’s Neighborhood would look like in real life.
What the kids feel and think matters, but how the adults feel and think matters too! This show tackles maturely and beautifully subjects like infertility, abandonment, ADHD, failure, and anxiety in a way that doesn’t feel cheap.
Anyway, you should watch this show! It isn’t a kid’s show. It’s more like a family/ human race show.
From the Perspective of an Old Soul 