New Book Trailer: THEY ALL FALL DOWN

Looks/sounds CRAZY; reminiscent of Christie's Ten Little Indians/And Then There Were None, yet at the same time fresh and original. In bookstores 9 April, this is a brilliant trailer and thanks to it I am way too anxious to read the book!

Watching: CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?

Year: 2018

Rated: R

Director: Marielle Heller
Based on a true story, Can You Ever Forgive Me? is the tale of writer Lee Israel (a wonderful, quietly-understated Melissa McCarthy), who after having a few NYT bestsellers writing celebrity biographies in the 1970's (Israel's talent was in always being able to catch her subject's voice on paper), suddenly finds herself and her writing out of touch with the times, unable to write and with no one - not even her agent (Jane Curtin) - interested in her current output. About to lose her NYC apartment and having already lost her livelihood (not to mention her sick cat), Lee grudgingly breaks down and sells a letter she once received from Katharine Hepburn, still matted and framed on her wall, for cash ... then before long, the idea strikes Lee to use her creative talents in quite a different way. Soon she is doing her research and producing "lost" personal correspondence from the likes of Dorothy Parker, Noel Coward, Fanny Brice, and many more deceased literary and film icons, selling them to local dealers and antique bookstores throughout New York aided by her good friend Jack (Richard E. Grant), putting to good use again her talent for being able to write in a myriad of other people's voices. McCarthy deserves her Oscar nom here, no doubt, but is unlikely to win as Oscar tends to like flashier roles; here, her Lee Israel is more a silent, angry brooder whom McCarthy captures brilliantly. The showier role belongs to Richard E. Grant, who absolutely shines here. Can You Ever Forgive Me? (the title taken from a Dorothy Parker quote) might be too slow-paced for some, but if up for watching a pair of truly outstanding, Jedi-level acting performances unfold on film - or simply curious for a little insight into this side of collectibles and autograph collecting - you could do a lot worse than this well-made/well-cast Oscar nominee.  8/10 stars

Reading: SPIROU: THE DIARY OF A NAIVE YOUNG MAN - Emile Bravo

Spirou and Fantasio, one of most popular Franco-Belgian comics of all time, debuted in 1938. In it, Spirou was a young boy and Fantasio his older friend and mentor, both of them journalists who had many great adventures together, often with Spirou's pet squirrel Spip along for comic relief. Indeed, ask anyone in Brussels and they may well know Spirou better than Mickey Mouse. In more modern times Spirou and Fantasio have gone through huge changes in one-off volumes where their adventures happen well off home turf ... and in 2006 Spirou: The Diary of a Naive Young Man was released to critical acclaim and even a major industry award. The love given to this volume is apparent from page one; set in Brussels in 1939, the artwork looks completely period and Spirou even reminded me of a younger Tintin (one of the reasons I wanted to read this). This story is darker and deeper, however, finding a young Spirou as a bellboy at a five-star hotel while, in attendance there, Polish and German officials are meeting clandestinely, the Polish delegates trying to forestall an invasion from Germany and all-out war. This volume also shows how Spirou and Fantasio meet, with Fantasio a fairly inept reporter for a local paper who is always trying to get Spirou to leak information about the guests - and Spirou even gets a love interest here, in the form of a pretty young maid, new to the hotel, who seems to be a lot more politically aware than Spirou could ever be. I really enjoyed this graphic novel, was totally engaged from the beginning and felt fully transported back to those gray, ominous days just before WWII, before the Nazis made their final push that would start a war; to that end, even got a few chills while reading. But what makes it all come together is that I really like Spirou; yes, beyond naive here when it comes to what is going on, but a good, honorable guy - the quintessential "boy scout" - just trying to do his job well and get the girl.  4.5/5 stars

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

Watching: THE FAVOURITE

Year: 2018
Rated: R
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
It's the early 18th century, England is at war with France, and the British throne's Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) - not in the best of health - always retains her close, long-term friend Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) by her side for help, companionship and guidance. So much so, most often it's Lady Sarah running the country, either by guiding the queen's mind her way or outright ruling in Anne's stead and doing what she feels is right. Enter a new servant girl, Abigail (Emma Stone), a cousin of Lady Sarah's fallen from grace but determined to work her way back up, who engages both Sarah's curiosity and trust ... but also those favors from the queen herself, as the machinations of the castle and court and how things work become clearer to the young woman. The Favourite is brilliant, with razor-sharp performances by the three leads (Colman, especially, deserves her Oscar) as well as the rest of a fine supporting cast (poor Nicholas Hoult, shafted out of another Oscar nomination he deserved), that mess with the audience when, at first, you dislike Sarah and favor Abigail ... then slowly realize maybe you've had it backwards the whole time. Everything about the film feels spot on - costumes, sets, art direction, cinematography - and though a bit of an oddity with its definite quirks (though I found director Lanthimos's "fish-eyed lens" choices very effective and mood-setting, when used), The Favourite is one of those films I really liked when I first saw it, largely due to the performances ... but the more time that goes on since watching it, the film keeps coming back to my mind again and again, definitive scenes and themes, and it's like I've grown to love it in the interim all the more. Not for everyone, but in this reviewer's mind a dark, darkly-funny must-see.  9.5/10 stars

2019 Oscar Nominations Announcement

Reading: THE INFAMOUS RATSOS ARE NOT AFRAID - Kara LaReau (writer) & Matt Myers (illustrator)

When I read the first novel in this children's book series, The Infamous Ratsos (you can read that review here), I became enamored not only of Louie and Ralphie Ratso and the relationship they have with their single-parent dad Big Lou, but also how writer LaReau and illustrator Matt Myers worked together to bring these character to life in fun, funny stories whose lessons never come off overly sentimental or heavy-handed. Here the Ratsos, in particular big brother Louie, learn to both face their fears and accept responsibility when Louise comes up with the idea of using a junky old vacant lot to set up their own carnival, complete with games and prizes. Gathering up their friends, the boys begin to work on Louie's Great Idea ... even as Louie must deal with the haunted house that sits next to the open lot, while at school Ralphie becomes the victim of rumors about him and a female classmate. While the Bland Sisters series remains my favorite of writer Kara LaReau, Louie and Ralphie and company have taken up a space in my heart as well, their humor and integrity never wavering whether solving a problem, standing up to ghosts and skunks, or enjoying dad's famous spaghetti dinners.  4/5 stars

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

Reading: DISNEY MANGA - MONSTERS INC. - Hiromi Yamafuji

Prior to this title, manga had always been on my radar but nothing I'd ever seriously explored on my own. When I first started reading Disney Manga's version of Monsters Inc., I had to adjust to the way Sully looked in black and white; a bit jarring at first, but after about ten pages the story took over and my eyes adjusted and I was on my way. To my surprise, reading the manga felt like re-watching - reliving - the film all over again, even with the characters and panels all having a slightly Japanese "flavor" to them (which actually only enhanced the reading experience for me, making it that much fresher). Because it's a manga, the story covered the film's storyline in much more detail than expected, and I found myself having such fun with the story of Mike and Sully and Boo again so much, by the time I looked up from first starting to read I found I had read half the book already. Like pretty much having the complete film, in book form, to read at any time, Disney Manga's Monsters Inc. has made the transition from screen to print with much of the laughter, heart, and tenderness intact. So much so, am hoping to get my hands on some more Disney manga in the future!  4.5 stars

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

Watching: MISS POLLY

Year: 1941

Rated: Not Rated

Director: Fred Guiol
You never realize how long it's been since you last laughed out loud ... until you laugh out loud, as I did, with this short Hal Roach-produced feature film starring the brilliant Zasu Pitts as small town spinster Miss Pandora Polly.  Miss Polly is kind, a bit kooky, and a firm believer in love - which makes it extra-hard for her as she tries her best to match-make for the town geek Eddie (Dick Clayton) and the daughter of her next door neighbor, the pretty young Barbara (Elyse Knox). To further complicate matters is Barbara's mother, Minerva Snodgrass (Kathleen Howard). Minerva heads the town's Civic League and rules with the iron fist of a bully, so heck-bent on keeping the local young people from committing sin, there hasn't even been a marriage in town for over two years. Fortunately, Miss Polly won't take no for an answer when it comes to a budding romance, and from sight gags and explosions to pratfalls to what happens when you try decades-old liquor, Miss Polly kept me laughing and smiling from beginning to end (though the ending is a tiny bit abrupt). I loved it; so much so, I think I may go watch it again now ... (NOTE: the video below is the entire film, not just a trailer.)  9/10 stars

Watching: THE MEG

Year: 2018
Rated: PG-13
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Five years ago expert sea diver Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham and his frown), in trying to rescue members of his crew, claimed to have seen a 70-foot ... "creature" attack him and his crew in the uncharted depths of the Mariana Trench, forcing Taylor to abandon the rescue mission and resulting in a few deaths. Disbelieved (no one else among the survivors saw anything) and dishonorably discharged, Taylor ends up just kind of hanging out in Thailand doing nothing but drinking and taking on odd jobs locally, until five years later when he's sought after again for another undersea rescue in the same region - this time one of the crew members being his ex-wife. Furthermore, Taylor's mythical 70-foot beast has now been seen by the trapped crew, making this an opportunity for Jonas to redeem himself, as well. Thus begins a long fight with a massive prehistoric shark (the Megalodon, hence the title) that's now been released from it's undersea prison, and the small crew - led by Taylor - that has to somehow stop it. The film is silly, brainless even, and full of tropes of the genre, with Jason and his grim frown finding time to maybe even find new love in between bouts of playing shark bait - and I loved every minute of it. The special effects are decent, touches of humor usually work, and there are certainly moments of genuine suspense. If you can sort of check your brain at the door and keep The Meg in mind for what it is - a giant shark movie that doesn't take itself too seriously - going in, you'll probably have a lot of fun with it, too.  7.5/10 stars

ARC Love: THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG

Thank you Goodreads and Hachette Book Group for the advanced reader's copy of This is Not a Love Song by Brendan Mathews. Been awhile since I read a great collection of short stories, this sounds like it will do nicely!

Trailer: HIGH LIFE

Robert Pattinson's latest.

Teaser Trailer: SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME

Watching: MR. PEABODY AND THE MERMAID

Year: 1948
Rated: Not Rated
Director: Irving Pichel
Not many 12-year-olds can claim Carole Lombard, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart and William Powell as their favorite actors - but that was me at that age, when my love for classic Hollywood films kicked in. To this day, the 1930's and 1940's remain the best decades for Hollywood film production, to me ... and one of the best of the best, actor-wise, was always the suave, sophisticated, but entirely hilarious William Powell. Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid was one of his I hadn't seen, so happily I sat down to watch the story of the hapless Mr. Peabody (Powell), just turned fifty and feeling middle age coming on, who while on a vacation with his wife in the Caribbean happens to run into a mermaid. Yes, you read that right; a mermaid, played wonderfully by the classically beautiful Ann Blyth as a blonde. Even buying into the fantastical storyline, I was enjoying the first half of the film ... but ended up ultimately so disappointed in what quickly turns into some kind of diatribe on what happens to a man when he approaches middle age. That's as much as I can say without spoilers, but the film really, truly was such a disappointment - in particular the one heck of a letdown of an ending that do none of the characters - especially Mr. Peabody - justice. The comedy is decent, performances solid, but largely snuffed out by the romance and drama, and with the star power both in front of and behind this film it's a shame the end product packs such a small, wimpy punch. (Note: the video below is the entire film, not just a trailer.)  3/10 stars

Watching: BLACK PANTHER

Year: 2018

Rated: PG-13

Writer/Director: Ryan Coogler
Picking up after the events of Captain America: Civil War, new Black Panther T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns home to his native Wakanda to take over as king. Wakanda, a highly-technologically advanced country that's been able to maintain it's peace and beauty by staying hidden from the rest of the world under the guise of being a third-world nation, offers as King T'Challa's first duty to bring to justice Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis), a low-end thug who somehow managed to steal a cache of vibranium - the substance that Wakanda runs on, which could be deadly in the wrong hands - and get away with it. When a sort of sting operation to get Klaue goes wrong (though makes for one of the coolest action sequences in the film), not only does T'Challa find himself on the bad end of scrutiny by a small faction of his own army ... but soon a stranger, named Erik Killmonger (Micahel B. Jordan), arrives in Wakanda bearing a gift for King T'Challa - and posing a threat to both the future of Wakanda and T'Challa as its leader. Black Panther has one of the best, most perfect ensemble casts every assembled for a film, and pulses with a real heartbeat and genuine social messages that make it far and above just another superhero film. Boseman is sincere and brooding as the conflicted King, with Lupita Nyong'o and Danai Gurira leading an incredibly strong, kick-ass cast of women I would hope would have my back any day. Beautiful, beautifully done, and an important film that speaks out but never preaches - and I loved it. My only fault with the film, oddly enough, is one of my all-time favorite actors in it; for me, Michael B. Jordan's performance in the early scenes of the film comes off very self-conscious, even camera-conscious; over-played. That evens out in time, however, Jordan feeling more locked in with the ensemble about halfway through and only adding to what is already one heck of a terrific film.  9/10 stars 

Reading: DRAMA - Raina Telgemeier

After hearing about both writer and graphic novel for the longest, Drama was  my introduction to the brilliant work of multiple award-winning writer/illustrator Raina Telgemeier. Set in the 8th grade and featuring a young female protagonist so real you would have loved to have her as a best friend back in the day, the book opens with Callie - a theater nut with, sadly, no discernible singing or acting talent - who hungrily jumps at the chance to be set designer for Moon Over Mississippi, her school's new musical. With Broadway ambitions in her future, Callie is determined to create a professional stage on a middle school budget (including a cannon that will fire on-stage), all while navigating classes and tests, a bratty kid brother, the rejection of a crush, a pair of cute twin brothers who become Callie's best friends, and a cast and crew who are constantly squabbling. Beautifully illustrated in brilliant colors, the book reads more like "reading" an animated series, and Telgemeier has certainly tapped into the middle-grade mind because there isn't a false note in the story or especially the characters that all ring true on the page; I knew all of these personalities back in my own middle-school days many years ago. Drama also handles delicate, more sensitive subjects of today with real grace and honesty - not to mention a sense of humor, thanks to one of the most delightful heroines I'd discovered in awhile. Already one of my favorite reads of 2019, and I cannot wait to explore more of Ms. Telgemeier's work.  5/5 stars

Reading: ABBOTT AND BARLEY: A PERFECT PLACE - Silvia Vecchini (writer), Sualzo (illustrator)

On a routine day fishing, Abbott realizes his son Barley is a bit bored and wanting to do something special. Anxious to give his son a unique day with his dad, Abbott comes up with a few unique ideas for fun things to do ... all of which seem to have already been done by Barley's friends. Finally going all out to give his son a one of a kind, out-of-this-world experience, it's actually Abbott who - in the end - is schooled by his son on where the best place is for them to be. A sweet father/son story every dad should read to his little boy, with simple, refreshing, beautiful illustrations by artist Sualzo that only add to the heart of the story. 5/5 stars

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

Reading: I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT YOU - Terry McMillan

Bay-area optometrist Georgia Young, 54, seemingly has it all. A beautiful home, a successful practice, two grown daughters and a pair of granddaughters, a feisty mother, and two decades-old best friends who always have her back. Yet Georgia has hit a rut. Life feels stagnant and without passion. She hasn't dated seriously in years, never mind getting laid, and is bored with her work and life in general. When receiving word of the death of a former beau/acquaintance, Georgia decides on a project in which she will make a list of the men in her life who - for one reason or another - truly meant something to her at one time, and track each of them down to see how he's doing and thank him for being a part of her life. So begins her quest on Facebook, tracking down the past, as Georgia also makes plans to sell her hillside home and even her share of the optometry practice in preparation of a cross-country Canadian train trip ... all in the name of reinventing herself and finding her passion again. Terry McMillan's latest gets a little slow in the middle, but is so well worth the ride thanks to a refreshing heroine whose life and mindset anyone over the age of 50 will understand.  In a sense, it's how Georgia gets her groove back, but also so much more - funny, touching, heartfelt, and romantic without the schmaltz; by the end through moist eyes I was rooting so hard for Georgia, even while I understood how the past could keep her from opening up her heart and trusting again. A sweet fairy tale that left me grinning ear to ear, especially after that "Ah-ha!" moment that revealed the reason behind the title. Still lovin' me some Ms. McMillan. 4.5/5 stars 

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