Reading: LEARN TO DRAW MICKEY MOUSE & FRIENDS THROUGHOUT THE DECADES - Disney Storybook Artists

Far more than just the how-to-draw manual it may first appear, this retrospective of the world's most famous mouse and his friends covers how Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy Duck, Goofy and Pluto evolved over the decades from simple line drawings to characters that remain fresh today. Not only are detailed step-by-step illustrations provided, so aspiring artists can learn the subtle differences of drawing each iconic character as he or she traveled from the 20's through WWII, the 60's and 70's to the new century, the book is also filled with entertaining, informative information about what was going on in those times to influence any changes made to each character, as well as vintage illustrations of comics, film posters and other character artwork of the period. Kids will enjoy being able to recreate their favorite Disney characters themselves, but it's the adults who will want to make this gem a permanent addition to their shelves as an anecdotal history of some of the world's most beloved animated characters, and how they came to grow with the times and remain fresh today.  5/5 stars   

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Watching: HOTEL ARTEMIS

(2018) Jodie Foster, in one of her best performances in years, stars in this odd, totally intriguing film as The Nurse, who overseas the Hotel Artemis somewhere near or in downtown Los Angeles. Basically a members-only private hospital occupying the penthouse floor of an otherwise abandoned hotel, the Hotel Artemis caters to stitching up and saving criminals - the film taking place in 2028 on what proves to be the busiest night of the Artemis's 20+-year history. Los Angeles has fallen to riots, see, because water is now available only to those who can pay for it outright, and as the city burns and falls - the rioters making their way to the corporate offices that hold the water rights (a building only blocks away from The Nurse and her establishment) in the dark - not only does The Nurse have to contend with a full house of patients (a couple of whom with questionable motives for being there), she also learns that possibly the most powerful criminal figure in all of Los Angeles is wounded ... and on his way to the hotel to have her save his life.  The film is dark, gritty, set in a near-future dystopian L.A. but feeling more like a contemporary gritty crime drama with occasional touches of humor. Foster is brilliant, Dave Bautista perfect as her one and only nurse/protector, and though for me Charlie Day overacted a bit and became annoying, Sterling K. Brown as a thief trying for one last job with his brother is a standout, as well as the amazing Sofia Boutella as a take-no-prisoners kick-ass assassin who won't stop until her job is done. The Hotel Artemis has but three rules: No guns. No cops. No Killing the Other Patients. For the first time this night all of these will be tested - some broken - in a film that gets under your skin, leaving you days later still thinking about what the heck you watched. (rated R)  8.5/10 stars