Dexter

Dexter (2006)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Supposedly this is a very popular show and it's easy to see the story line is much more complex then a lot of typical TV series. However, the main character outdoes the meaning of the word "creepy," which is more than a little unnerving. I'm torn between wanting to know how it turns out and wanting to turn it off as it's hard to watch without your skin crawling.

Fushigi Yugi

Fushigi Yugi (1995)

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


Also known as The Mysterious Play, this is another alternate universe anime with a twist. This one doesn't get watched often as it is a much longer series, but it is still a favorite. There are many twists and turns between friends and couples. The main couple, Miaka and Tamahome, are easy to like. From the beginning I found myself cheering for the Suzaku Seven. Doesn't hurt that the Seiryu Seven are so obviously malicious and distrusting. Still, it's hard not to feel for Yui, even knowing she's being played and used.

Expressions of Our Savior

Expressions of Our Savior (2010)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It's easy to get distracted watching this as the hymns are familiar and calming background noise. You'll want to pay attention at least once through however as Greg Olsen's artwork of the savior is amazing. This isn't really a "movie" though it is on DVD. Rather this is an artwork slideshow with background music by Marvin Goldstein, one of my favorite go-to's for hymn arrangement books. Short and calming  this is beautifully done and definitely more for appreciation than for drawing attention.

The Vision of Escaflowne

The Vision of Escaflowne (1996)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Hitomi finds herself pulled from Earth (also known as the Mystic Moon) to another world known as Gaia. Some of the people there remind her of friends from home. She quickly learns that things in this new world are very different from her own. Van Fanel, king of Fanelia, becomes her most trusted friend and ally. Despite realizing she must return home, by the end of their journey, the two are definitely more than just friends. Between traveling to a different world, meeting entire new species, finding love, having to leave love, and learning that her tarot and visions are actually frighteningly accurate, her life is turned completely upside down as this series progresses.

E's Otherwise

E's Otherwise (2003)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This isn't one that often makes me re-watch list, but it is enjoyable and different than the majority of anime out on the market.

Kai, who has powers different from the rest, together with his sickly sister Hikaru was protected by an organization called ASHURUM. Scouted by Eiji, Kai was delegated to the ASHURUM special force AESES and undergo intensive training. Whenever he was free, Kai visited Hikaru at the hospital belongs to the organization, but Hikaru's condition never improved. So, one year later, with amazing growth from the intensive training, Kai decides to escape from the organization.

- Listal

What the summary forgets to mention is that Kai learns the special force training also involves a form of brainwashing and their "mission" is nothing like he was lead to believe it would be. Disillusioned, he decides to team up with some unlikely friends who help him after being injured in a AESES strike against civilians. As he learns more about the world on the outside of Ashurum, he comes up against his old comrades and finds trying to help people is a far cry from what he was lead to believe.

Eight Below

Eight Below (2006)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


My husband dislikes Disney movies and swears he will not watch them (I see that changing as our little girl grows). I love Disney movies and grew up collecting them. Yet somehow, he had this movie in his DVD collection and I had never seen it until after we were married. How this happened, I do not know. Despite the Disney label, this is actually a live action film, and a very touching tale. The dogs are beyond lovable and show a lot of intelligence and loyalty as they struggle to survive the winter storm without their humans or usual shelters. Part of it likely comes from the story, and partially just from loving animals, but this is one film that is thoroughly enjoyed every time it plays.

The Dark Crystal

The Dark Crystal (1982)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Done in pure Muppet style, this is a rather basic story of good against evil. Overall, not my favorite Henson film, but given the technology used in it, well done. Rather dark for a children's film.

Henson tells the story of a race of grotesque birdlike lizards called the Skeksis, gnomish dragons who rule their fantastic planet with an iron claw. A prophecy tells of a Gelfling (a small elfin being) who will topple their empire, so in their reign of terror they have exterminated the race, or so they think. The orphan Jen, raised in solitude by a race of peace-loving wizards called the Mystics, embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of the Dark Crystal (which gives the Skeksis their power) and restore the balance of the universe.

- listal

Casey's Shadow

Casey's Shadow (1978)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


A family of drunk hicks goes back on everything they know of good and kind horse care in favor of their minute of fame crossing the finish line. In the end, it looks like the price for this family may be too steep. The damage is already done to Shadow, their winning runner, but that doesn't stop their father from grasping at straws to try and bring them all together again. The boys seemed cheered by the prospect of trying to save Shadow, even knowing he'll never run again. Nothing is shown beyond this however. Overall it's poorly done and very crude.

300

300 (2006)

My rating: 2 of 5


Not my favorite type of movie, but interesting. A bit of history mixed with some fantasy and a lot of war. For the low-tech weapons and little armor used, there is a lot of blood and gore. Very dramatic, this tale is largely narrated as the actual sounds from the film are more muted in the background.

When the ambitious King Xerxes of Persia invades Greece with his huge army to extend his vast slave empire, the brave Ling Leonidas brings his personal body guard army composed of three hundred warriors to defend the passage of Thermopylae, the only way by land to reach Greece. Using courage and the great battle skill of his men, he defends Thermopylae until a treacherous Greek citizen tells King Xerxes a secret goat passage leading to the back of Leonidas's army. Meanwhile, his wife Queen Gorgo of Sparta tries to convince the council to send the Spartan army to fight against the Persians.

- listal

The Following

The Following (2013)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The pilot isn't over yet, but I'm finding it hard pressed to do anything else and not stay riveted to the TV. Didn't intend on watching this tonight either. We just left the TV on after Bones as background noise in case we were still awake to switch it over to Castle later. Instead I find myself wondering if there's a new series worth intentionally following on the docket. Not particularly sure how they'll draw it out if it's just the one main cop brought back to duty and the one original killer, but it definitely has potentially as far as the current story line and how it's filmed. There is a sense of mystery and foreboding through the entire piece that leaves you almost frightened while desperately waiting for the next piece of the puzzle.

The Butterfly Effect

The Butterfly Effect (2004)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


How far would you go to save someone you loved? Evan learns that the same thing that causes him to lose some of his memories from traumatic events also leaves him with the ability to intentionally go back to the past, giving him the opportunity to intentionally change events as he retains his current adult memories. However, nothing is ever as simple as it seems. Every good intention somehow goes awry and the very "gift" that allows him to attempt his would-be miracles is killing him. Determined at least to save Kayleigh and give her the life she deserved, he intentionally courts his own death to try and secure her future. This is definitely one to pay attention to while watching as otherwise the constantly shifting events and memories can become confusing.

Doggies

Doggies by Sandra Boynton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I think I'm going to end up reading more children's board books than anything else this year. My daughter is still too young to really understand what I'm reading to her, but she loves turning the pages, looking at the pictures, and probably just hearing me read to her most of all. She played with this book for hours after we read it. Between the different pictures, the growing number of dogs for the counting, and the different types of sounds they make, I can easily see her loving this book as she grows. My husband's love of dogs likely doesn't hurt either. It would be very easy to picture them curled up on the couch giggling to the dog barks through this little gem.

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Dark Shadows

Dark Shadows (2012)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Filmed in a similar style as the newer live version of Alice in Wonderland, this is a rather strange film - as one might expect from the combination of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. In that aspect, it lives up to it's expectation. The characters feel rather two dimensional and more flat as there is very little tone or inflection in how they speak and minimal movement wherever possible (except when the vampire and the witch have to prove how good they are at scaling walls). Don't forget adding ghosts and werewolves to that mix, too. For being such a "haunted" vampire, he doesn't seem to care much about things regardless of his continues claims to the contrary. I suppose leaping off a cliff after his "lady love" at the end is supposed to say otherwise, but it's hard to be convincing when there is no real emotion shown at all. Lust, yes. Emotion, no. Doesn't make for a very engaging film on my scale.

Black Blood Brothers

Black Blood Brothers (2006)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Despite being the story of a vampire war between bloodlines and trying to keep the peace between Red Bloods (humans) and Black Bloods (vampires) at the same time, you would expect a lot of action. While that is included, it is rather laid back at times as Jirou often seems to be forced to lift his legendary Silver Blade since the original war ended. While he may not like being forced into a resurrected war, he still pulls through when his little brother and the human who has chosen to help them are threatened. Mellow for a vampire series, but can also be a nice change of pace.

Black Hawk Down

Black Hawk Down (2001)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Based on the story of a war mission in Somalia on October 3, 1993, this is a story of exactly what you don't want to have happen in the middle of a war. Trapped behind enemy lines with no help on the way, it's up to these soldiers to carry out their mission and find their own way home. Nerve wracking and high on the action aspects, this takes a particular mood to really enjoy that was lacking this last time around. Do have to say though, that it is a very well made film despite any personal preferences at the time of viewing.

Smallville

Smallville (2001)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Admittedly, this is the one part of the Superman saga that I could not get into when it first came out. I had seen a few random episodes however and was curious how the entire story went. This series tells the story of Clark Kent as a teenager, during the time that he discovers and learns to control his powers prior to moving to Metropolis and becoming Superman. With the upcoming re-launch, Man of Steel, I was curious enough to pick this up and see what I was missing. Not as good as the movies to me, and there are definitely a lot of inconsistencies between some of the characters, but overall still a good story.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


As if becoming president and fighting a war isn't hard enough, the enemies army is filled with vampires. Good thing Abraham had hunter training thanks to a rather flaky "friend" who turns out to be one of the undead himself. Though the still have no reflection and don't like garlic, these vampires can adjust to sunlight and share werewolves' intolerance to silver (though werewolves aren't actually mentioned in the film). Not the best vampire or war film I've seen, but an interesting twist on history nonetheless.

Looper

Looper (2012)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


An interesting premise: what better way to solve past problems then sending the older individual back in time to take care of the younger one? It can get a little confusing keeping track of who is who (or the same person just different times) with all the hopping back and forth, memories, and changes. Definitely a reason to pay attention when watching this film. A little strange, but interesting. Didn't care much for the confusion myself, but it was still well done.

Les Miserables

Les Miserables (2012)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I had vague memories of seeing this on VHS at my grandmother's house growing up. Other than recalling it was a musical during war time and that I had a hard time following everything as I child, I couldn't remember much else. Hugh Jackman did a wonderful job with the lead role, something we both hoped for after having seen a couple of his singing clips online. There were a lot of other familiar faces I didn't expect in the film as well, like Anne Hathaway. Overall the film was very well done. Definitely recognized a lot of the music - At The End of the Day was the first one that stood out, followed by many others. While it is a story during war time, "musical" is the only definition that truly fits this film - literally everything is sung. Well done.

Den of Shadows 8: Poison Tree

Den of Shadows 8: Poison Tree by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I originally wasn't sure if I would consider this more a Den of Shadows or Kiesha'ra book as it involves both shapeshifters and vampires, especially the Mistari and references to the Serpiente. I found the emphasize on the brutality of the Mistari interesting, especially as they were the mediating clan for the Serpiente and Avian war, being the "neutral territory." The tie ins between Sahara, Jason, Christian and Alyssia are complex at the best of times. Fascinating how they constantly cross paths without really wanting to. Was glad that Jason showed up at the end for the challenge as it was his rightful place and put the priorities back in place for the pairs nicely. Kind of hope the cubs decide to stay with Sahara, but could see them choosing to leave with the way they had been raised too. Overall it had a lot of information both about the Mistari and Onyx. Also nice to see Ravyn again as I did like her in Midnight Predator.

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