July 30, 2012
Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Not as good as the original film, but definitely better than the third. This time the Autobots may be gone for good just when they're needed the most. Megatron is revived, which should not have been possible, and the war is on yet again. It takes a small miracle to get the pieces added together, revive Optimus Prime, and turn him into the super-bot needed to save the world yet again.
July 29, 2012
Your Baby's First Year
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Rather dry as far as how it is written, but has a lot of good information in it. Our pediatrician gave us this book the first time we met him. It has already come un handy for some references and I'm sure will continue to be useful in the future.
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July 28, 2012
The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer
The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer by Harvey Karp
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Some information we'd already heard and were trying. There are some examples of how to do different things and what combinations to try that could be helpful though. Different types of swinging, white noise, and baby massage especially. Will have to mark them down for future reference as the book is a rental and won't be staying in our collection indefinitely.
Some things to remember from the book are listed below.
The 5 S's:
1. Swaddling - tight wrapping
2. Side/Stomach - laying a baby on her side or stomach
3. Shushing - loud white noise
4. Swinging - rhythmic, jiggling motion
5. Sucking - sucking on anything from your nipple or finger to a pacifier
Top 10 ways you can imitate the uterus:
1. Holding
2. Dancing
3. Rocking
4. Wrapping
5. White noise or singing
6. Car rides
7. Walks outside
8. Feeding
9. Pacifiers
10. Swings
10 useful shhh substitutes that can help your baby in the throes of colic:
1. A noisy appliance, like a hair dryer or vacuum cleaner
2. A room fan or a microwave or bathroom exhaust fan
3. Running water
4. A white-noise machine
5. A CD with white-noise sounds
6. A toy bear with a recording of the sounds of the uterus
7. Static on the radio or baby monitor
8. The clothes dryer with sneakers or tennis balls inside (never leave the baby alone on a dryer... she can fall off)
9. A dishwasher
10. A car ride
Top 10 ways to bounce your baby:
1. Rocking in a rocking chair
2. Dancing (with quick little moves up and down)
3. Infant swings
4. Rhythmic pats on the back or bottom
5. Hammocks
6. Baby carriers
7. Car rides
8. Vibrating bouncy seats
9. Bouncing on an exercise ball
10. Brisk walks
5 steps for the perfect baby massage:
1. Prepare for pleasure - About an hour after your baby has eaten, remove your jewelry, warm the room, dim the lights, take the phone off the hook and, if you like, you may turn on some soft music. Have some slightly heated vegetable oil (almond oil is great) within easy reach, and some wipes and diapers too, just in case.
2. Bring yourself to the moment - Sit comfortably with your naked baby right next to you or on your bare, outstretched legs. Place a towel around her body to keep her warm. Now take 5 slow, deep breaths to allow yourself to be fully present for this experience. Once you become familiar with the routine, your attention will naturally focus on your fingertips rather than what you're doing.
3. Speak to your baby with your hands - Rub some oil between your hands and start by touching your baby's feet. Always try to keep one hand in contact with her skin and softly talk to her or sing a lullaby. Uncover one limb at a time and massage it with a touch that is fluid but firm. Let your massage strokes move slowly along her body, in synchronicity with your calm breathing. Use smooth, repetitious strokes over her feet, legs, stomach, chest, arms, hands, back, face, and ears, gently rotating, pulling, stretching, and squeezing. Twist her arms and legs as if you were lightly wringing a wet sponge. Feel free to experiment with using her fingers and different parts of your hands, wrists, and forearms.
4. Reward your baby's tummy - Thank your baby's tummy for doing such a good job. Bicycle her legs and then firmly push both knees to the belly and hold them there for 10-20 seconds to give a nice, satisfying stretch. Then massage the tummy in firm, clockwise, circular strokes, starting at her right lower belly, up and across the top of her tummy, and ending at the lower left side. (This sometimes helps babies release gas or poop.)
5. Follow your baby's signals - If your baby begins to get restless, it's a sign to change your pace or end the massage. Wipe the excess oil from her body, letting a bit remain to nourish her skin. Bathe her with soap and warm water later that day or the next morning.
July 27, 2012
Transformers
Transformers (2007)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
By far the best of the Transformers series, the first film introduces the conflict between the Decepticons and Autobots as they come to Earth in search of the All Spark and entangle the humans in their war. Having vague memories of watching the cartoon of this series with my brother as a child, it is interesting to see how they've adapted the series now to be a live action adventure series.
Trigun
Trigun (1998)
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
One of my husband's favorite anime, but admittedly not one of mine. Vash is more than a little spontaneous and unreliable despite supposedly being this ultimate master with a price on his head. A more apt description would be an insanely lucky child in a man's body. Still, the series has it's moments and it is still entertaining, in a modern Old West gun slinging kind of way.
July 25, 2012
Toy Story 2
Toy Story 2 (1999)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Oddly, it was the sequels that really got me to like this series. Buzz and Woody are back, this time with a more Western theme as Woody learns he isn't the only Cowboy from his line of toys. Is a museum for toys really all that more interesting than being a child's treasured possession? That will be for Woody to decide as this time Buzz comes to his rescue, returning the favor from when Woody saved him in the first film.
July 24, 2012
The Swan Princess 3: The Mystery of the Enchanted Treasure
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The start doesn't appear consistent with the previous two films as yet another dark arts user makes a bid for Rothbart's hidden powers. This time however, secrets and broken promises could cost not only their current happiness, but future as well when a "destroying seeker" is sent after Odette. Not as good as the original, but has a couple of great new songs for the collection.
The Swan Princess 2: Escape from Castle Mountain
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Everything isn't as right as it seems in paradise. Odette is bemoaning Derek's busy schedule and responsibilities as he spends less and less time with her, running off for every little thing happening in his kingdom. As always, it'll come back to haunt him as Odette is once again trapped in swan form to save him and they aren't sure if they can change her back.
The Swan Princess
The Swan Princess (1994)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I loved this movie when I first saw it growing up. Catchy music and a different type of fairy tale story with plenty of traditional pieces in the mix to draw any child's attention. It was also a favorite for several of the kids I would watch when I started babysitting. Hopefully it will prove to be another big hit with my daughter as well.
July 20, 2012
Robin Hood: Men in Tights
Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
The classic story of Robin Hood told with a modern humor twist. Many a spoof has been made with the Men in Tights song and costumes. Out of all the Robin Hood films I've seen, sadly would have to rate it as the worst - while I get what they were trying to do with the humor, it just doesn't do it for me. I far prefer the newer live version or the classic Disney rendition to this failed comedy.
RG Veda
RG Veda (2001)
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
While I enjoyed the manga for this series and I do like the movie itself, it's a little frustrating as it seems to drop you right in the middle of the story and doesn't really completely explain or finish anything. Would have hoped for a more complete series, especially given the lengths of other well known CLAMP titles - xxxHOLiC, X/1999, Cardcaptor Sakura, Chobits, Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles, etc.
Quest for Camelot
Quest for Camelot (1998)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Based on a book which I have not read as of yet, this is a childhood favorite with different animation artwork and lots of catchy music. May have to look into the soundtrack for this as part of Mercy's sing-a-long collection. Just the right type of songs that would be lots of fun and easy to remember. Good times for the whole family.
July 19, 2012
Pete's Dragon
Pete's Dragon (1977)
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
One of the early films combining live action with animation, the blue screen work is especially obvious when compared to more modern works. Still overall a touching story involving plenty of music for young children to go along with the over-sized and lovable dragon, Elliott. I have vague memories of watching this as a child myself. Will be interesting to see what Mercy thinks of it growing up with even more advanced technology than I saw as a young girl.
Pinocchio
Pinocchio (1940)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Admittedly not my favorite Disney film, but still another childhood classic. I can easily recall the many books and story times that incorporated this story. Jimminey Cricket especially is a well known character as he was often referred to as a child's conscience when our parents were teaching us lessons. A good back story if nothing else, I'm sure this will be played many times over as our daughter grows.
Shark Tale
Shark Tale (2004)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
A more modern type of animated film, this features computer animation similar to that used in the movie Shrek. Will Smith is an easily recognizable voice as the lead fish and main source of entertainment. Even little fish can dream big.
Robin Hood
Robin Hood (1973)
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Much more low key in the realm of Disney action, this is an older classic film based on yet another popular children's story that has hundreds of variations. I find it amusing that the character design and voice of Little John are remarkably like Baloo from The Jungle Book. The snakes are also remarkably similar in the two films as well. It is very easy to distinguish good guy from bad in this film as their attitudes and designs reflect their personalities and positions perfectly.
July 18, 2012
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Not as good as the original, but still highly entertaining. Some may think I would like it more given the country setting and lots of horses on the castle grounds. Small wonder the side saddle scenes are some of the funniest to me. Overall a decent sequel to an amusing series. Would have been interested to see if the could have built on it more than they did given the length of the book series it's based off of.
The Princess Diaries
The Princess Diaries (2001)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Can't claim to have read any of the books yet, but I remember finding this film highly amusing when it first came out and I still enjoy watching it from time to time today. Definitely one I'll enjoy watching with my daughter as she gets older. Given how long the book series appears to be, I'm a little surprised they haven't done more than just 2 films, though at the same time I don't recall the sequel doing as well in the box office.
Spider-Man: The New Animated Series
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Perhaps it's because I'm used to the 1994 animated series, but this computerized art is very strange and not fitting with the series I'm used to. Yet another re-launch on the popular Marvel superhero, Spider-Man. Can't seem to decide if I would like it more with the more traditional art style. Either way it's interesting and yet another change in the story line.
July 17, 2012
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Another more mild film from the Disney classics collection. There are too many versions of this story to count, but almost every child has seen or heard the Disney version at least once. Can easily see this becoming a childhood favorite for our daughter.
Sleeping Beauty
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
One of the Disney classics, it's actually not one of my favorite films. A story that most any child knows, I can recall being afraid of the dragon as a child and thinking that overall the story dragged, especially compared with more recent films that always seem to have something happening. Now I tend to enjoy the slower pace more and am glad I have this old-time classic in our film collection for our little girl.
July 15, 2012
The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Despite being a re-launch, this film was put together beautifully. They still took several liberties with the storyline, as movie adaptations often do. However the main characters are much more true to their original design, which was wonderful to see. Overall I have to admit currently prefering this new adaptation to the original trilogy.
July 13, 2012
Pandora Hearts
Pandora Hearts (2009)
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
While the series is really good, it ends suddenly without any real conclusion or answer. Would be nice if they had at least finalized answers to some of the big questions rather than dropping hints and walking away. Perhaps there will be a second season at some point that refines and completes the series.
July 7, 2012
Merry Gentry 7: Swallowing Darkness
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Merry is pregnant, Frost is gone, Andais is once again going back on her word, Cel is as crazy as ever, and still they're adding people to her bed. I'm beginning to think Hamilton is obsessed with sex and has lost her ability to write about anything else. This makes me very sad as her series have wonderful foundations prior to their degradations to these points and the characters have the potential for a lot more depth than they seem to be given in the long term.
Overall I felt this would have been an excellent point to end the series as Cel is finally dead, Frost is returned, and Merry has walked away from the courts with her lovers and allies. Seems like a good stopping point as everything has reached some form of conclusion. Makes me a little wary about the following books.
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July 1, 2012
Peacemaker Kurogane
Peacemaker Kurogane (2003)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Think I used to like this series a lot more than I do now. While still about the samurai, and especially the Shinsengumi, it's got a bit of a twist as this time the focus is on two orphaned brothers and their odd fit with the group. Not really swordsmen, despite the youngest's ambitions. It's interesting matching up the captains names with characters from other series and seeing what similarities or differences there are even in the same genre.
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