Romance, comedy, drama, cliche, Christmas Directed by Justin G. Dyck SummarySo, Kelsey is planning her first official wedding since she started her business. One complication, the wedding is her cousins’. That cousin is practically her sister, and they are best friends. But, family is hard and so are super mean aunts you love. Want the big catch? Someone hired a PI to investigate the groom. That PI is named Connor and is irresistibly handsome, at least to Kesley. They may or may not find dirt on him, and their time together may or may not lead to something more. Fun fact: Kelsey hated Connor in the beginning. I mean, she had a fair point: she thought he was going to ruin months of precious planning! BreakdownPlot: 20/25
It’s sort of a family tradition in my house to watch terrible Christmas movies together. I’m talking cheesy romcoms and cliche, story lines that you cannot resist. This movie made that list. It was terrible in the best way.
Predicable movies let you lay back and rest your feet on the promise of no thrills or stomach-drop moments. I love to cuddle up with three-hundred fuzzy blankets. This movie goes best with popcorn, extra butter, and some time to waste on hiding your blush from second-hand embarrassment. It made me think about the job and I think I’d enjoy being a wedding planner. There is something about being able to keep ten tabs open at once and seeing the final production like a film. Some people might see that as stressful, but it’s all just a puzzle. A really, really fun puzzle. TL;DR Yes, the movie on a general scale get’s a low C. But, for on the horrible-Christmas-movie scale I’d give a flat B.
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Underselling summary (sorry)
BreakdownPlot: 9.5/20
Characters: 15/20
Set, graphics, and CGIs: 19/20
Soundtrack: 8.5/20
Misc.: 12.5/20
= 64.5/100 I’m not the only person who gave it a low rating. BUT, overall, it was worth the watch. I absoluetly adored the first movie, and being confused put a bit of a damper on the whole thing. There are still three more “Fantastic Beast” movies to come, will you be waiting for them? Last thing, my favorite part was basically just Newt. His character (played by Eddie Redmayne) is so cute. He is always flustered and seems like a disaster, but pulls together at the end, every time. His relationship with all of his beasts is the sweetest thing. Because as Newt Scamander would say, “There is no such thing as a strange creature, only a misunderstood one.” Another line you’ll love, especially if you see the movie, comes from Leta Lestrange when she says, “Newt, you’ve never met a monster you couldn’t love.” Dodie Clark is a British singer-songwriter who started as a Youtuber. She vlogs (video-blogs) to talk about writing, music, and about her own life. She writes some pretty silly songs and parodies, but also some legitimate lyrics that I think are pretty mind-blowing. Her songs are soft and sweet, usually accompanied by her ukulele, but sometimes also her guitar or piano. Most of the music I listen to is of a similar genre, sort of on the edge of indie and lo-fi. It's relaxing to just let the chords roll over you.
Inspired by this lovely video, I created a Spotify playlist with all of the songs I could find between these four artists. I haven't stopped playing it, so I'm going to leave this here if anyone is interested :)
I discovered the poet, Amanda Lovelace, when was recommended to fans of Rupi Kaur. And I understand why. They have a similar style. Short, simplistic poems about powerful topics. I hate to ever say I didn’t like a book. I read it, didn’t I? My only note would be that the writing felt a little lazy- perhaps not the perfect descriptor- after reading Kaur. A lot of statements and not much flourish or symbolism in between. That is just me, she may be fresh off the press, but very successful author. This is her first entry (before the first of four sections, “the trial”). Page 1: warning I: this is not a fairy witch tale there are no witches. there are no match-boys there are no burnings. there is no fiery revolution. this is simply a story where women fight against the manmade structure that has long overstayed its welcome. I can’t argue that her work gives me chills. And I don’t want to, she is strong for putting herself on the page. No matter my shaky review, I do recommend this author. The books are short, but action packed.
This one is the second in her first series of poetry, ‘women are some kind of magic,’ the other one being named the princess saves herself in this one (I really want to read that one!). Other books include those in ‘things that h(a)unt’ duology, #1: to make monsters out of girls. The last work is a collaboration with many different authors, such, Sara Bond, Nikita Gill, Canisia Lubrin, and R.H Swaney. [dis]connected: poems & stories of connection and otherwise is an anthological work. Lovelace writes about fearless women and justice and pain. And she does it well. You can’t put a date on when Rupi Kaur became a writer. She says her art started when she was young, and I believe it. Rupi is an Indian born Canadian poet whose words stretch across ages and all over the world. She published her first collection of poetry with illustrations in 2014 when she was 21 years old (“Milk and Honey”). I bought this book knowing it was going to be good, and I was not disappointed. The journey is divided into five chapters of wilting, falling, rooting, rising, and blooming. The beginning feels like the rush of feelings after a breakup. It is understandable, and well done, but it is the pages toward the end that got me. The way she writes, so minimally; the way she draws, so minimally, is breathtaking. She spills her soul across the paper like ink, and you feel her presence with every word. The poems felt raw, the wording was bold, and the aftermath? I am a disaster, but loving it. This book doesn’t end when you close the cover. It’s message of love, strength, and rebirth seep into your thoughts until you go to sleep. And then you might just dream up your own lyric. I have always been amazed with this style of plot structure; the idea of a story within a story. Beth Goobie paints you a picture about a girl named Maddy. For English class, the project was to collectively finish a novel. Every student has to give at least 300 words, and some put more effort in than others. It is fascinating how the story the characters create echo greater themes Maddy faces in her own life. Trigger warning: rape: The spring before the book starts, Maddy Malone was gang raped. She knows who three out of the five guys were, even though they wore masked, and finds out who the other two were later in the book. The night doesn't pause in haunting her. She has not spoken a word to anyone. Even when she drops art and doesn’t speak to her parents like she used to. She can’t talk to her older sister anymore and her life doesn’t feel like her own anymore. Will she find the courage to speak up about her own pain? Should she? Or should she take the pain she was given and deal with it? This novel narrows in on a lot of issues. One I found consistently powerful was about by standers. Knowing about different groups of secrets gives you a perspective that feels very raw. The author reminds you of how important your actions are even if you did nothing. That you are no more innocent. I didn’t expect to get much from this book, but I think it’s going to stick with me for a while. I recommend giving pause if some of the mentions in this book will trigger you (rape, self-harm, suicidal ideation, bullying, and sexual harassment). All together this story is worth knowing because it speaks up for people who may not be able to. Pretending something didn’t happen, just because it makes you feel better, doesn’t make the situation go away. And it sure as hell doesn’t help the victim, no matter the scenario. And 20 Other Myths and Misconceptions About Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming People DISCLAIMER: I haven't read the entire book yet, for it has been more of a skim, but am eager to start taking notes. My mom gave this to me to get an opinion of whether she should ask to get it for the school she works at or not. A mighty conservative school, mind you. I am saying yes, it is an important topic of conversation that shouldn’t be ignored because ignorance gets you nowhere. The book wasn’t presenting an opinion. I only saw facts backed up with solid references. It explored questions that shouldn’t be shameful to have, as long as you educate yourself. It doesn’t lecture you because only you can act on information given to you. As a trans* person, I felt the book was accurate and gave a warm view of the community. There are far too many articles and columns that are mad at you for being transphobic in ways you may not have realized you were. That anger gets us nowhere, while it is understandable, and the only thing is to read and read and move on. The prose was calm, howbeit, still giving a strong voice to the minority and exerting appropriate exigency. I felt that it has a range of information to offer from new eyes on the questions to people who see themselves well-versed. I will be delving in further and recommend you do as well. I don’t often reread a book without reason. It is not unheard of, but I usually have too many new stories I’m excited to read next. I remember reading this Tahereh Mafi novel back in December 2016. I know the date because I was in a hammock on my cousin’s porch in Panama. The breeze was in my hair and I could smell plantains being fried in the kitchen. She didn’t mean to. Juliette doesn’t want this curse. Whoever she touches dies- painfully. She was alone in a cell for 264 days, until one day a boy is shoved in there as well. She knows him from grade school, before she was locked up, but doesn’t think he remembers her. Where is the truth? It seems many people have different pieces of it. This is a dystopian where morals are questioned and power plays are made. Something about how the author writes; the prose is scrambled to justify all that goes on in this girl’s mind. I give it a high recommendation or, at the very least, a read to have some new things to think about. I’m on a roll with good books lately, aren’t I? This is how I kill someone. That is a hell of a first line. That is said by one of the main characters, Alex who knows more than you think. She also happened to be my favorite because she is the definition of brutally honest. Mindy McGinnis writes three different point of views as if she is three different people herself. I loved how her prose was merely poetry in disguise. Peekay isn’t her real name, but when she got dubbed the Preacher’s Kid in elementary school, it stuck. Jack is who all the other guys want to be; Jack is the athlete, in line to be valedictorian, and dating the hottest girl in school. Alex hides in the shadows, it was safer for everyone else that way. But, then Peekay and Jack noticed her and wouldn’t give up. Unexpected connections are made and their lives all change. In different ways because eventually it all collapses, in a scene I promise you won’t predict. As much as the novel stressed me out, I loved the feeling. Unquestionably, it is a worthwhile read. The author keeps you wanting to light the pages on fire the whole way to the end. Gretchen starts. She hasn’t gone back to school after she was attacked. She’s okay now, except for she doesn’t usually leave the house, hates crowds, and gets panic attacks. Her biggest coping skill is solving calculus equations. Phoenix enters, and I wasn’t sure why they were connected. He and his brother escaped gang activity in El Salvador. But, they are separated now. And he is just trying to keep his head down. They keep each other going. I love the writing, and it is hard to read without rooting for the two. Marie Marquardt writes two things so accurately it’s hard for me to believe they aren’t real because I’ve seen it done badly so many times. Gretchen has panic attacks and other forms of PTSD and anxiety. Phoenix misses home but knows he can never go back. He points out funny cultural differences that Americans have from him- and it is always spot on! Maybe the book hits close to home because I relate to the characters so much, but that is what makes the best read, right? Intense and meaningful, but well balanced with humor and sweetness. Complete recommendation from where I'm standing. The over all affect made me hate the system and want to change things, but also realize that the little things count. All successes have value. The original came out 2004 and made up most of my childhood. I watched it again and again. Violet Parr continues to be my role model- scratch that- a goddess- scratch: everything I aspire to be. Okay, maybe not really, but her character development throughout the movie was impressive. I liked most of the women in this film. Ellen/ Elastigirl was saving the day, Velma was jaw dropping as always, and Frozone's wife even got a line! I enjoyed the fact that the most notable government official in the movie was "The Ambassador," a woman who stood strong even as her life and job were in peril. Don't get me started on Void, a newly introduced superhero who was adorable! She fangirled over Elastigirl, and anyone in any fandom could completely relate to the giddiness. My favorite scenes were the one about baby Jack-Jack because the mom is away saving the day nowadays, and dad is kind of overwhelmed. Hm hmm... who's the real super hero now Mr. Incredible? One sequel I'd say may just live up to it's original. My favorite scenes that sounds very odd out of context: baby Jack-Jack fighting a raccoon. It is crazy cute! They may have added one since I saw it in theaters, but strobe, flashing lights are in multiple scenes (where the characters are hypnotized), so, just a warning I wish I'd had! I am out of words to describe how intense this book was to me. So, this might get long. Jeff Garvin may have written out of my diary, if I kept one. I listened to the novel on audiobook, narrated by Tom Phelan and think he did a phenomenal job and fit the character completely. Riley is entering junior year at the local public school, partly a publicity stunt for their father's campaign as conservative congressman, and partly post-disaster. As in, hell at their old Catholic school, leading up to a suicide attempt and then hospitalization. So, yeah, there's a start. Riley is genderfluid, and gets harassed even without being out. They make two friends, but the real way they express them selves is through their anonymous blog. Where they reach thousands of people astonishingly fast because their words are so raw. I connected with this character on my levels. From mental health, a topic that is hard to find realistically and not in a damaging perspective, to gender identity and the conflicts that come with it. It is YA and, therefore, has it's share of drama that adults might find boring (maybe, I'm not sure), but I want to shout the messages and themes it shares from the rooftops. If you, yourself, or anyone you know is anywhere on the spectrum of genderfluidity, I highly recommend this book. Riley explains the nuances and struggles within it in an enjoyable way. This may be my new favorite book. Ever. I totally cried. And screamed. Multiple times. And laughed, and... do I have to go on? This should be your next read (or listen!) and make sure to drop the title to friends. Wow, that sounded really sponsored? It wasn't. Have a gay day! I would like to give out a few trigger warnings for mentions of suicide ideation, moments of panic attacks, and fairly graphic assault (don't worry there is a happy ending to it all). Your words affect other people. And you can get affected by others. But, what if that wasn't true. What if you were just "nix?" Jennifer Lynn Barnes gives you a point of view of what it might be like to be a nobody. Or, even worse, to be this and grow up having no idea. Claire and Nix, two kids who have never been noticed, are trying to do the right thing. To a world that has never done the same to them. So, I think that is pretty brave. I think the best part is how the two describe each other. They scream with emotion at the feeling of finally being seen. The plot could move faster and it wouldn't receive 5 stars, but I enjoyed the read because it made me think. Still, I will say the ending caught me by surprise, a little unexpected to be anything but anti-climatic. To end on a positive note: A+ for being the sweetest thing. Time. It's a funny thing. And what if you are lead to believe that you are crazy all of your life because you see dead people. But, what if it's because you somehow have a connection to the past? Myra McEntire makes your brain hurt. What if one event could change everything? But, you are allowed to change too much? Emerson has been through a lot. I mean, at one of her brother's events she saw a whole jazz trio playing around a piano. That no one else saw, and that was expected because they weren't really there, right? But, Michael did. And then he crashed her world. Nothing made sense anymore. Except Michael, of course. Physics crashed with stretches and some philosophy. Untapped potential in a romance. Mixed strings of purpose and maybe fate. What is really set in stone? You may know the author from her first book, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Becky Albertalli Renamed when made in a recent movie dubbed: "Love, Simon." I've decided that I like her writing. She gives you characters with a wide range of personalities and relationships between them. Meet Molly, a girl who has had 26 crushes that never went anywhere, who has a twin sister that is on the opposite end of the spectrum. Cassie is no rookie to dating, but Mina throws her world. Molly's house is getting a bit thrown around, with same-sex marriage legalized, her moms are getting married. And growing up is wanting to push the twins apart. Busy much? It reminds you that young love is hard. And complicated. And messy. And really freaking beautiful. The 'Project Paper Dolls' series is by Stacey Kade. At first, I picked it up as a decent sci-fi-ish novel... I mean, yes, but it's amazing! Ariane holds a lot of secrets- to survive. As a reader, they unfold in front of you. Like the fact that she's not human. Friendship, family, and romance gets tangled up in a racy plot. It is very interesting how Ariane describes and reacts to the world. You feel the crooked lines and unstable ideas of society inside Ariane, and it's fascinating. It's hard to write a point of view like this, and it is contrasted by a human character having another. I can't say it's hard to make me comment or laugh out loud while reading... but, isn't that a sign of a good reader? One who understands the author's message in a way that... anyway, I did that. A lot. I yelled so suddenly I scared my parents while they were driving. Multiple times. Oops? That's my way of saying that this story will take you on a roller coaster (which I don't usually like in a literal sense) of emotions. Laughing. Screaming. Crying. You'll get it all. And this is just book one. A Tale of Rivalry, Romance, and Existential AngstNever know quite what to do about such titles. They are long, I'm saying, they're long. Feel about it as you'd like. But, the book itself? Stupendous! With YA fiction from the first perspective with this type of humor and mix of things, it is hard to write well. It follows a teenage boy named Tom Grendel who's crush moves in next door. Who's brother and cousin make hell for him. They party all night, every night, and it drives his dad to take a work trip out of town. It bothers everyone around, but he is the only one who can do anything to fix it. So he tries. And he tries. And it becomes a whole mess. One thing I noticed, as a writer, is one detail. Grendel lived in a neighborhood known for being a quiet place to retire and, therefore, inhabited mainly by the elderly. The boy interviews them to capture life stories. He wants to make sure the memories are not lost, that someone knew them. I love the growth that happens throughout the book on this small, seeminly insignificant, aspect. This book is high on the recommend list. I tagged on my personal book list as 'made me want to:' think and write. "It’s a similarity I’ve noticed between little kids and old people — they’re both always so surprised when anyone actually treats them like humans." That day. Sitting in the library, looking around... I didn't think the library would have the book so soon! It was a pretty awesome moment. So, yeah, I liked the book. I often search for new reads based on authors well known, or I previously liked. Fortunately, Sarah Dessen is not one to let down. The story is told by Louna... who told Dressen about me? I didn't know she wrote that much from real life! Louna is tight. She is working for her mom's wedding business, as she has for a long time, with her friend and associate William. A lot has happened to her. And it changes a person. She's kind and funny, but has trouble letting loose, especially around new people. For good reason, but even as I reader it takes a while for her to explain exactly why. And then comes Ambrose. He's goofy and free flowing. He's everything that drives Louna crazy. But, he also might just what she needs to finally let go. And fly. Grow with Louna as you see what a wedding planner might just really think about your special day! I was really excited about the books I checked out of the library. And as I would later learn: unjustifiably.
- Stolen (Lucy Christopher) - We Should Hang Out Sometime (Josh Sundquist) - It's Kind of a Funny Story (Ned Vizzini) - Starling (Lesley Livingston) The last one wasn't too terrible, but it's the second time I have tried to read it and have yet to finish it. So, there's my micro review. That's a no on the recommend, by the way. I was at a gay prom and there were too many references to this book. I just had to read it. So I did. And it was amazing. I could not put it down! It was so personal; uncensored and honest. You have to open your mind to read this- let go of judgements and enjoy the ride. Charlie writes letters to an anonymous person who only goes by the name "Dear friend." He learns from his two new friends: Sam and Patrick. He started smoking and got into drugs. He learned about sex. He learned all the wrong things in all the right ways. He got asked out by a girl named Mary Elizabeth and they went to a dance together. He didn't kiss her then, not later either. She talked a lot. It was alright, but Charlie got drunk and messed it all up. That seems to accurately describe most of his life. There isn't much of a plot. It is life. It shoves a character, someone you can relate to, flaws and all. They felt real and raw. My favorite was Charlie's older sister. She was a mess. She had an abusive boyfriend who she stayed with for too long. She was insecure and used to using a destructive offense as a way to protect herself. She was bitter and sad, and yet she put trust in her brother. She loved him so much. And that touched my heart. And in that moment, I swear we were infinite. |
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