Time is a funny thing. . . I did not really have time to write last month, but now I’m free as a bird! Normally, this means catching up on my compilation lists for the month. Which is why we are here!
I had a lot more screen time in April than normal, so there are a few fun new and old movies and shows I watched in the evenings all throughout the month.
This is how I normally rate things!
- 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 I somehow made it through. This category is also for when I absolutely DESPISE something I’ve watched or read.
- I could make fun of it because of how bad it is or because it lacks any real merit.
- 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 that 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.
Hope you find something. new to read or watch!
Books
Echo North by Joanna Ruth Meyer (2019), 10/10
Echo Alkaev’s safe and carefully structured world falls apart when her father leaves for the city and mysteriously disappears. Believing he is lost forever, Echo is shocked to find him half-frozen in the winter forest six months later, guarded by a strange talking wolf—the same creature who attacked her as a child. The wolf presents Echo with an ultimatum: If she lives with him for one year, he will ensure her father makes it home safely. But there is more to the wolf than Echo realizes.
In his enchanted house beneath a mountain, each room must be sewn together to keep the home from unraveling, and something new and dark and strange lies behind every door. When centuries-old secrets unfold, Echo discovers a magical library full of books-turned-mirrors, and a young man named Hal who is trapped inside of them. As the year ticks by, the rooms begin to disappear, and Echo must solve the mystery of the wolf’s enchantment before her time is up, otherwise Echo, the wolf, and Hal will be lost forever.
Synopsis via Goodreads
Every once in a while, I return to this book. I absolutely love it and might be a bit biased. Unfortunately, I wasn’t quite in the mood for it this month. . . I mostly started listening to it to pass the time while I waited for The Two Towers to come through on Libby.
Regardless, if you like new spins on fairytales, this is a wonderful book to read! I also adore the audiobook, so if you are more of a listener than a physical reader, you can pick this up fairly easily.
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (1986), 10/10
Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl’s castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there’s far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.
Synopsis via Goodreads
What can I say? I’m a sucker for this book, and not just because I love Hayao Miyazaki’s movie! This is one of the few books that genuinely makes me laugh every time I read it. I really should get more into whimsical fantasy, because I ATE THIS BOOK UP!
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale (2010) 9/10
Anne Halford is a candy crafter determined to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a Silver Sugar Master, a title bestowed only by royalty. In order to travel to the capital and realize her dream, she purchases Challe, a handsome but foul-mouthed fairy, as her bodyguard. Anne wishes to befriend her new companion, but in this kingdom where fairies are treated as property, Challe wants nothing to do with humans. Will this journey with Anne change his mind…?
Synopsis via Goodreads
I’ve now read up through volume six for this series, and I love it! Perhaps it’s because Anne is so genuine and doesn’t take the easy route to solve her problems. There are heartbreaking consequences sometimes for what she or others do in this series.
The one thing that urkes me is how blatantly obvious it is that Challe and Anne love each other. . . . yet neither of them seems to realize the other’s feelings. ESPECIALLY Anne. Challe is so obvious sometimes. . . Then again, she is only sixteen and doesn’t have much experience in romance.
Oh well! I’ll keep buying the volumes as they come out in English and hope the anime keeps going.
The Last Seance (2019), 8/10
For lovers of the supernatural and the macabre comes this collection of ghostly and chilling stories from legendary mystery writer Agatha Christie. Fantastic psychic visions, specters looming in the shadows, encounters with deities, a man who switches bodies with a cat—be sure to keep the light on whilst reading these tales.
The Last Séance gathers twenty stories, some featuring Christie’s beloved detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, in one haunting compendium that explores all things occult and paranormal, and is an essential omnibus for Christie fans.
Synopsis via Goodreads
I FINALLY got this book back on Libby and finished it! It took over six months. . . Some of these stories were genuinely interesting, while others felt a little flat to me. My favorites were probably:
- In a Glass Darkly– I thought it would turn into a tragic self-fulfilling romance turned sour type of story. Luckily, it wasn’t!
- Philomel Cottage– This reminded me of a Suspense radio episode with Peter Lorre, “Till Death Do Us Part”.
- The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael– So sad the cat died, but the story was intriguing.
- The Dressmaker’s Doll– I don’t know if the doll was evil or just finicky. It was haunting because there was no indication WHERE the doll came from in the first place.
- The Hound of Death– This nicely combined the eerie phobia of “mad” doctors and ancient alien magic.
If you’re looking for some fun short stories to listen to or read, take a look at the ones in this book!
Comics/Webtoons
My ID is Gangnam Beauty (2021), 6.5/10
A new school, new friends, new romance, and a new face?! After going through major plastic surgery, freshman Mirae is ready for a fresh start. At her university, she becomes recognized as a pretty yet somewhat unnatural “Gangnam beauty.” However, all Mirae wants is to have a normal campus life without being judged by her looks. Will she be able to adjust well to the new environment and find the courage to live the life of her dreams?
Synopsis via Webtoon
The art wasn’t so great, but the premise is intriguing enough. I don’t like the idea of plastic surgery, but reading this made me wonder about our society’s obsession with physical beauty. So many girls in their late teens and early twenties use plastic surgery as a way to “fix” their bodies and faces.
Anyway, I’ll talk more about this when I mention the Korean Drama made for this show. Overall, watching the show is a better idea. The characters and their circumstances are fleshed out more.
Does Love Need a Translator? (7/10)
Hadam, who has just come back to school, learns that Erin, a French exchange student, will be living with her due to an administrative error.
Will Hadam and Erin be able to conquer their grades and overcome their language barrier to understand each other’s feelings?
A tightrope romance that starts under one roof!
This was a cute romance! I liked that the two main characters came from France and Korea, respectively, and that they didn’t just fall in love all at once! However, the ending felt a bit rushed.
The Savior’s Book Cafe Story in Another World (2019), 8/10
Tsukina is a single, thirty-something office worker whose favorite thing is curling up with a good book. When a god tells her that she must go to another world to become its magical savior, Tsukina isn’t interested. She has zero desire to go on some grand hero’s journey. So when she arrives in this strange new land, she decides to use her magical powers to create a cozy little book café instead. Her first customer is a handsome soldier who loves reading almost as much as she does. But when a fellow “savior” starts causing trouble, Tsukina might have to play the hero after all!
Synopsis via Goodreads
Although this story lacks a lot of meat in its plot, I can’t get over how wonderful it would be to open a library cafe in a forest, drinking tea and gardening all day! I also liked that the two main characters are super down to earth and didn’t have to slog through a bunch of drama to figure out they liked each other. I still haven’t found a way to finish this entirely, but it shouldn’t take too long.
Run Meil (2023), 7/10
After Meil von Biseart has an ominous dream that Princess Riella destroys her home upon being rejected by the emperor of the Helberne Empire, she runs after Riella to stop her from joining the selection for the next empress. In the midst of her efforts, she meets a mysterious masked man in the palace garden who seems to know an awful lot about the emperor. As she uses this new intel for her plan, Meil begins to draw some unexpected attention… At this rate, her dream might come true!
Synopsis via Tapas
Last time I read this, I wasn’t much of a fan. But I gave it another try, and I think it is GOOD. I do think the drama bit at the end where Meil leaves the Prince was unnecessary, but. . . meh. I wasn’t offended.
April Flowers Bring May Flowers (2016), 7/10
Despite what the meaning of her name would suggest, Hana Tabata bears no resemblance to a flower. Her eyes are too small, and her limbs are far from slender. She is, in fact, “ugly,” and as such, knows that cute things and a fairy-tale romance are out of her reach. Yet this does not stop her from daydreaming every morning as she tends to the school’s beautiful flower beds that contrast her appearance.
One day, a casual encounter puts Tabata in contact with her classmate Yousuke Ueno, who is well-known for being both handsome and extremely kind. Why would such a popular student associate with a background character like her? To Tabata, it is an unfathomable situation, but can Ueno show her that looks are not everything?
Synopsis via Myanimelist
I wanted to like this story. The main character, Hana, is plain, and that is the WHOLE story in a nutshell. Lookism is a big deal for teenagers, so I can see why many young girls would find this story appealing. As an adult, though, it was hard to get through.
I hope as I continue reading it Hana can find some closure about her looks and not rely solely on a HOT boy to validate her worth. Also, I hope she doesn’t continue to feel like she isn’t WORTHY of said HOT boy because she’s UGLY. Honestly, the boy in question was super nice, and if she can get over her self-esteem mountain, they can have a great relationship!
Movies
Rogue One (2016), 8.5/10
All looks lost for the Rebellion against the Empire as they learn of the existence of a new super weapon, the Death Star. Once a possible weakness in its construction is uncovered, the Rebel Alliance must set out on a desperate mission to steal the plans for the Death Star. The future of the entire galaxy now rests upon its success.
Surprisingly enough, this was a fantastic movie! I understand why some Star Wars fans are a bit obsessed with it. Because I’m not a super nerd, I saw some flaws in its execution and main characters. But who cares? Movies are about the EXPERIENCE, and by golly, I had a great experience seeing this film. It had gorgeous set pieces, nostalgic special effects, and solid lore building. I would see this movie again, but not for a while. Turns out I’m still not the biggest fan of Sci-Fi stories.
How To Train Your Dragon (2010), 8.5/10
Long ago up North on the Island of Berk, the young Viking, Hiccup, wants to join his town’s fight against the dragons that continually raid their town. However, his macho father and village leader, Stoik the Vast, will not allow his small, clumsy, but inventive son to do so. Regardless, Hiccup ventures out into battle and downs a mysterious Night Fury dragon with his invention, but can’t bring himself to kill it. Instead, Hiccup and the dragon, whom he dubs Toothless, begin a friendship that would open up both their worlds as the observant boy learns that his people have misjudged the species. But even as the two each take flight in their own way, they find that they must fight the destructive ignorance plaguing their world.
Watching this movie was super nostalgic for me! I enjoyed seeing my students’ reactions to the film after they hadn’t seen it for a long time. They actually chose to watch this movie for Geography class while we studied the Three-Act Structure.
Before anyone asks, I know the live-action movie is coming out. I am just super apathetic about live-action ANYTHING. If I want to watch How To Train Your Dragon… I’ll just go back to the original.
The Minecraft Movie (2025), 4/10 for Quality- 8/10 for fun
Four misfits find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld, a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they’ll have to master this world while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert craftier. Together, their adventure will challenge all five to be bold and to reconnect with the qualities that make each of them uniquely creative-the very skills they need to thrive back in the real world.
Ironically, I told my brother this movie reminded me of Napoleon Dynamite. I found out later that BAM, Jared Hess directed both films! No wonder. . . Anyway, this movie at its forefront is basically garbage. The plot is all over the place, the lore-building is questionable, and I’m not sure if it was really made for any particular audience. BUT it was fun to watch.
My favorite part was probably the beginning bit with Jack Black narrating about wanting to get into the mines. All the scenes in the “real world” were also super entertaining.
Would I watch this movie again? . . . Not willingly, but I had a good time in the theater, so I guess that is what counts.
Napoleon Dynamite (2004), 7/10
A listless and alienated teenager helps his new friend win the class presidency in their small western high school, while dealing with his bizarre family life back home.
Synopsis via Goodreads
Nostalgia is a funny thing. I was… 13 or so when this movie came out, and I minimally bought into the quotable absurd 1990s(?) ish comedy setup. This movie is mostly a cultural icon and isn’t meant to make any bold statements. I enjoy Nacho Libre more, mostly because I’ve lived in New Mexico for so long. A lot of my Hispanic friends quoted that movie A LOT, so it has more nostalgia bait for me.
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and the Horse (2024), 9/10
Charlie Mackesy’s bestselling book comes to life in this beautifully animated film from NoneMore and Bad Robot Productions. Follow the unlikely bond between four friends as they explore the meaning of kindness, friendship, courage and hope. A story for viewers of all ages in a heartwarming, classically animated film.
I need to watch this short movie again when I’m alone! While my brother, mother, and I watched it, we kept getting interrupted, which ruined the overall feeling/tone. Consequently, its impact fell a bit short for me because I was frustrated!
That aside, this was a truly beautiful film experience despite everything. My favorite line from the film was:
“Mole: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Boy: “Kind.”
Mole: “Nothing beats kindness. It sits quietly beyond all things.”
The Wild Robot (2024), 9.5/10
From DreamWorks Animation comes a new adaptation of a literary sensation, Peter Brown’s beloved, award-winning, #1 New York Times bestseller, The Wild Robot. The epic adventure follows the journey of a robot–ROZZUM unit 7134, “Roz” for short–that is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island and must learn to adapt to the harsh surroundings, gradually building relationships with the animals on the island and becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling.
My second watch of this film was an emotional roller coaster! I finally got my brother Marty to see it with me, and he concluded, as I did, that it is a truly cinematic experience from beginning to end. Once I get the art book for the film, I’d like to do a short essay on the film, breaking down what made it such a beautiful experience.
The SpongeBob SquarePants movie: Sponge Out of Water (2015), 5/10
After the Krabby Patty secret formula miraculously disappears, SpongeBob must teach Plankton the power of teamwork. While this is happening an evil pirate is making and serving Krabby Patties to people above the surface. SpongeBob and Plankton must work together to defeat the pirate; with help from Mr Krabs, Sandy, Patrick, Squidward, and a magical dolphin named bubbles.
Synopsis via IMBD
Good golly, this was a boring, long, disjointed mess of a film. I like SpongeBob SquarePants about as much as the next person, especially season 1-4(ish). However, this movie felt more like if the original creators decided to collaborate with hip kid producers trying to monetize on current kid trends (that last no more than two years in relevance).
Some parts were fun, like when the apocalypse suddenly just lands like BAM, and everyone was in leather. Other parts felt flat and tired, like all the time travel sequences or SpongeBob trying yet again to help Plankton change for the better. Other parts… like the Space Dolphin rapping at the end made me inwardly cringe.
So . . . yeah. This movie is for little kids but has little to no staying power.
Shows
My ID is Gangnam Beauty (2018), 7/10
Kang Mi-Rae had a timid personality due to her ugly appearance. She was teased by people and even bullied when she attended school. Now, Kang Mi-Rae is beautiful after undergoing plastic surgery, but she still has her timid personality. Kang Mi-Rae starts her first year at a university. People are still mean to her and call her “Gangnam Beauty” in a derogatory manner. Meanwhile, Do Kyung-Seok attends the same university. He does not judge people by their appearance. He cares about what’s on the inside rather than outside. Do Kyung-Seok begins to like Kang Mi-Rae.
I wanted to like this more, but its disjointed message on plastic surgery’s impact on Korean society felt split. On the one hand, I felt for Mi-Rae and her struggle to fit in with her peers as a proverbial “orc” faced outcast. On the other hand, I desperately wanted her to find closure about how she looked. The show keeps it rather ambiguous how she actually looked in her teens. I think it would have been more impactful if they showed what she originally looked like near the end of the story to give weight to some of the intended messages on lookism vs. genuine inner beauty.
The Adams Family, 1964 (8/10)
The Addams Family is not your typical family: it takes delight in most of the things of which normal people would be terrified. Gomez Addams is an extremely wealthy man and is able to indulge his wife Morticia’s every desire, whether it’s cultivation of poisonous plants or a candlelit dinner in a graveyard. People visiting the Addams Family just don’t seem to appreciate the 7-foot-tall butler named Lurch or the helping hand (which is just a disembodied hand named Thing).
I simply love watching this show as a general rule! I loved it as a child, and I love it more so as an adult. For some reason, I find the family’s macabre tastes charming rather than evil. I haven’t seen the new 1990s films for this series for quite a while, but I still go back to this show every once in a while for some good old-fashioned early television fun.
Sakamoto Days (2025), 7/10
The name Tarou Sakamoto once instilled fear in every villain. No other professional hitman matched his prowess, and fellow assassins revered him. However, Sakamoto fell in love. In five short years, he married, became a father, put on some weight, and traded his weapons for an apron as he became the owner of a humble convenience store.
Although Sakamoto is decidedly retired, he finds his old life of crime hard to shake off. His former partner, Shin Asakura, reappears and resolves to stay with Sakamoto’s family under their strict no-kill rule. To make matters worse, a large bounty is placed on Sakamoto’s head. Numerous assassins now pursue him—but they are in for a surprise. Sakamoto has not lost his edge, and no matter what tricks his enemies pull, he will fight off every last one to protect his dear family.
Synopsis via Myanimelist
Now, this isn’t a bad show. The animation is pretty smooth, although I can tell they leaned more heavily into CGI cleanups and background designs. I need to rewatch it in English because I sneak peeked at some of the scenes with the English cast and thought the humor was amped up to a 9/10 with better voices.
Uncle From Another World, 2022 (8/10)
After a fatal encounter with a truck, Takafumi Takaoka’s uncle, Yousuke “Ojisan” Shibazaki, lies comatose for 17 years. When he finally regains consciousness, Ojisan begins to ramble in a foreign tongue and reveals that he had been transported to a magical world called Gran Bahamal. Takafumi dismisses his uncle’s claims as nonsense until an incantation makes a cup of water hover in the air. In a flash of brilliance, the pair creates a YouTube channel to showcase Ojisan’s magical abilities.
The responsibility now falls on Takafumi’s shoulders to acquaint Ojisan with everything that has transpired during his absence, including getting him up to speed with the internet, new technology, and surprisingly, the outcome of the ’90s console war—the result of which was especially distressing for a hardcore SEGA fan. With Ojisan’s wisdom from his other world experiences, they grow their YouTube channel and tackle online comments and trolls. The journey of this uncle-nephew duo promises to be anything but conventional.
Synopsis via Myanimelist
This show has no right to be as funny as it is! The uncle is so ugly, and his face made me laugh so hard at times! I feel bad for the tsundere elf girl, who loved him for some reason despite his face. I theorize she will find a way to break through into his world to be with him despite everything.
I am normally not a fan of isekai stories, but this one had my type of humor. Too bad they haven’t made any more seasons. . . . life is cruel sometimes.
Project Fear (2023), 7/10
Welcome To Project Fear! We created the TV show “Destination Fear” and now our haunted adventures continue. On this YouTube channel we will create paranormal road trips, exploration videos, and go ghost hunting. From abandoned asylums to demonic prisons, witness our paranormal encounters as we sleep alone in the worlds most terrifying locations. Subscribe to travel with us and explore the unknown!
Synopsis via Youtube/Project Fear
I bring up this YouTube series, which I normally avoid doing, to talk a bit about how I feel about ghost shows in general. In my house, there are normally the following types of TV shows played:
- Criminal Drama
- Sci-fi/Star Trek and Star Wars
- Big Foot/ Mystery Creatures Shows
- Cooking Shows
- Paranormal Ghost Shows
Now, I am not a fan of watching any of these genres after working. I’m more of a chill, feel-good type of gal. I like animated TV shows, old TV shows from the 1960s and 1970s, and anime. Notice the severe lack of anything from the criminal or horror genre. But, much of the time, I have no choice really but to watch these other shows because I like spending time with family.
Project Fear is a classic example of “reality” TV blending into speculative fiction. Do I think sometimes they have genuine experiences with ghosts and residual energy? Sure. But as much as they claim they do? NAH.
I’ve studied film making as a hobby for about . . . 15 years now and notice the classic horror film techniques in their film making. Whenever you watch one of these shows, keep these things in mind:
- Film can be edited to tell a specific narrative. Just because it seems like pivotal events happen sequentially in these shows doesn’t mean they actually do. As far back as Jorge Méliès, filmmakers have been cutting and layering film to tell stories. It is RARE for any of these shows to actually not be edited in any way. Now, editing is not a bad thing for reality TV. In fact, it would be boring if we got 10 hours of filming. But, it does mean that the creators can edit the film to amp up suspense and correlate two completely unrelated events for the sake of getting more fans.
- There could be other people involved with the project. Just because we don’t SEE others on set doesn’t mean they aren’t actually there. Many of the noises or paranormal experiences could simply be others working in the background, creating an illusion to hook audiences in.
- They purposefully tilt the camera to make the audience uneasy. This is a common trick I’ve seen even in Star Trek episodes. The moment you tilt a camera, it automatically generates an uncomfortable feeling of uneasiness that puts an audience on edge. Now, this doesn’t mean some of the things happening on camera AREN’T REAL. It just means they are purposefully tricking you psychologically using this technique.
- They use music to create a specific tone that can feel inauthentic. Music is a powerful tool, and to say it’s manipulative is an UNDERSTATEMENT. Many times, as I watched this show, I felt pulled along by the music as they explored different haunted locations. For a project like this, I think music should be kept to a minimum to make things feel more authentic.
- Special Effects can be added after filming. Again, filmmakers have been tricking audiences with special effects and camera tricks for almost 1.5 centuries. I never assume that everything I see on screen is authentic. Editing software is incredible now, and general film school students are aware of these tools and utilize them.
- Electronic devices can also be manipulated. I don’t trust REM pods or other devices. Who’s to say they haven’t been preprogrammed or manipulated off-camera with remote controls? Psychic mediums, fortune tellers, and investigators have remotely tricked clients for over a century with simple tricks and gags. If they could do that without our modern technology, imagine what people can do NOW with the plethora of technology available?
Regardless of all the things I mentioned, what it truly comes down to is TRUST. So, I enjoy watching this show and wonder how much of it is truly paranormal.
Thanks for tuning in! See you next time!
From the Perspective of an Old Soul 