Planes

Planes (2013)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Set in the world of Cars, this is Dusty's story. Dusty is a crop duster plane who dreams of being a racer. He'll end up learning a few things himself while also teaching the pros a thing or two as he makes his own mark on their world. This is one underdog who won't take "no" as an answer.

Monsters 1: Monsters, Inc.

Monsters, Inc. (2001)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Turns out being scary isn't all it's cracked up to be. A human girl, Boo, turns the Monster factory and world upside down as Sullivan takes an unusual liking to the young child. This in turn ends up revealing some interesting things about their company and helps them find and even better source of energy - laughter.

Chicken Little

Chicken Little (2005)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This would be classified as an animated version of an alien visitation along the lines of The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Chicken Little always means well, but it's easy to see how the adults don't believe him until the very end. Somewhat sad, but still understandable. Can't help but feel a little sorry for him as the alien invasion begins.

Riley Bloom 3: Dreamland

Riley Bloom 3: Dreamland by Alyson Noel

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Riley is more annoying than ever. If there is a rule to break or something to whine about, she'll find it. This girl seems determined not to learn anything despite claims to the contrary. I had hoped this was the end of the series, so it was disappointing to learn there is yet another book at the end. It's really just my sheer determination not to leave series unfinished that is getting me through these books.

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Barbie 26: A Pony Tale

Barbie 26: A Pony Tale (2013)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


For a Barbie film, it's cute and animal lovers will enjoy it, especially if you like horses. Being a rider however, the differences and sheer personality of the horses is a huge change from reality. Actually, the horses personalities remind me a little of Spirit from Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, which I love. It makes for an interesting cross reference. Think I'll just enjoy it as another horse film for our collection.

Duty 4: Proceed with Caution

Duty 4: Proceed with Caution by Betsy Brannon Green

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I generally love Green's books. Sadly, this one was a little disappointing. Hack and Steamer just can't seem to get along, constantly acting like bickering children throwing the same insults at each other over and over. Hunter and Brooke's "romance" is a little rushed, if not somewhat one sided until the very end. Despite this, they are still fun together and by far were the best part of the book.

Christopher is above and beyond controlling to the point of maddening. They overreacted a lot with the audit to the point that Neely is thinking they need to sell the house and close the business. Raleigh's business isn't the first financial institution to have this problem and wouldn't be the last. The characters rebound from one extreme to the next.

To top this all off is the ending. Green is known for tasteful cliff hangers that leave you wanting more. This wasn't just a teaser, this was an outright alarm. All I can think is it's a shame readers have to wait so long for her next book because this ending is far from satisfying.

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The Vampire Diaries 11: The Salvation: Unseen

The Vampire Diaries 11: The Salvation: Unseen by L.J. Smith

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Wow. They seem to be determined to make situations where Elena can flip from one brother to the other so she never loses ties with either.

The book started off pretty good. Stefan and Elena are living together and hunting Old Ones with Meredith, who is now married to Alaric. Bonnie is still with her werewolf boyfriend, and they're now living together as well. Matt has his ups and downs with his human girlfriend, Jasmine, but it was good to see her come around in the end. Damon is still bound to Elena thanks to the Guardians interference, but he's off in Paris with Katherine, who is now apparently a friend. On the one hand, I was glad to see her die in the original series and she drives me nuts in the TV show. On the other hand, I did think it was good for Damon to have someone to be friends with that wasn't Elena so he wasn't focused on the love triangle 24/7. That didn't last long.

By the end of the book, more friends are dead, including Katherine and Stefan. Damon and Elena now have an open path to each other again, along with their "mutual grief" over Stefan's death. Not to forget that we now have Jack, the "perfect man made vampire" who is turning Meredith into another of his kind and apparently has an agenda that includes killing off all known vampires.... which leaves Damon as the next target if his book is any indication. Seriously? Another weird enemy, another unprecedented death that should not have happened, and another change in dynamics to shove Elena at another brother. Every time I think they can't mess this series up any more, they find a way. Just end it already! Truly and seriously, end it.

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Anita Blake Vampire Hunter 22.6: Shutdown

Anita Blake Vampire Hunter 22.6: Shutdown by Laurell K. Hamilton

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


All 21 pages of this are debating relationship details (especially about the intricacies of what does or does not define their various sex lives and ideals) between Richard, his human fiance, Anita, and Micah. Micah largely plays emotional support for Anita and keeps her from loosing her cool, though she does an admirable job on her own. Richard is finally back to his good self instead of the arrogant jerk he's been impersonating for awhile. The short does help define where Anita and Richard are in each other's lives, especially considering their connection through the triumvirate. Ellen, Richard's fiance, is a bit on the unbelievable side, especially with what it sounds like Richard has already told her about his preternatural relationships. Too much nitpicking and a play to add someone who obviously does not belong into the mix. Can't say I'm sad to see her go just as quickly as she came.

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Anita Blake Vampire Hunter 22.5: Dancing

Anita Blake Vampire Hunter 22.5: Dancing by Laurell K. Hamilton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is what I was missing in the original series. No overrated ardeur and sex scenes. No overwhelming partner list to manage. Not even Dolph causing problems on the cop scene. Granted, this also was missing the trademark fighting/guns (in favor of a more mild relationship conflict), which I'm a little indifferent to at this point. It's been so ingrained to just be "Blake" that it's sort of refreshing not to have it overused and pushed on us yet again. Our main trio does a wonderful job of interacting with their police counterparts, including Anita's friends and BBQ hosts, the Zerbrowskis. Nathaniel certainly has is hands full this time around, but it's touching how Anita and Micah step up to the plate to both defend and help him and little Matthew. Anita may just be better with kids than she lets on. The story goes from a little tense with the possibility of a couple of disasters, to beautiful in how it ends with the music and everyone mixing so comfortably.

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Mirror, Mirror

Mirror, Mirror by J.D. Robb

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Picked this up for In Death 37.5: Taken in Death, and found wonderful bonuses in the other stories.

In Death 37.5: Taken in Death by J.D. Robb
I actually enjoyed this more than the latest In Death full book. The parallel to Hansel and Gretel worked wonderfully. There wasn't much outside the case as it was too focused and fast moving, but what was there was spectacular. These characters always come together in the best ways. Dallas made a very interesting "good witch" with her interaction with the little boy to save the twins.

If Wishes Were Horses by Mary Blayney
As if the title wasn't enough to grab my attention? This one paralleled with The Three Little Bears in a old English manor style during war time. There were many good lessons in the idea of being careful what you wish for - you never know just how it will come true. Lucky for our odd couple, their wish still worked out.

Beauty, Sleeping by Elaine Fox
A different twist on Sleeping Beauty, this one had the "princess" saving the "prince." The set up could have been stronger, but the story has it's own unique twists that make it wonderful.

The Christmas Comet by Mary Kay McComas
This one took aspects from 2 tales: The Little Matchstick Girl and The Star Money. Natalie is both wise, wonderful, naive, and a little dense sometimes. You can't help but love her character while feeling concern for not only her homeless adopted family she's trying to help, but her own circumstances as it's so much easier for everyone else (reader included) to see her own dire situation. Magic comet indeed.

Stroke of Midnight by R. C. Ryan
An Irish twist on Cinderella, Sydney is very much downtrodden and abused by her step mother. They peg the wounded girl and abusive step mother routine nicely. Cullen is an odd twist that you never quiet know what to expect from. Their romance is more than a little bit of a whirlwind. Cullen is a mystery from the get go, and the sudden explanation at the end certainly makes the shoe fit, but leaves it feeling a little surreal. Regardless of this drastic bit of magic, this was one of favorites in the book.

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Katekyo Hitman Reborn!

Katekyo Hitman Reborn! (2006)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


Just having seen the first several episodes, Tsuna seems to be pretty helpless. Watching this subbed on Hulu, I can't help laughing at Reborn's voice, especially when saying his own name - it is just too funny, especially with his chibi character. The chameleon is interesting, though I'm not sure what to think of him. A chameleon that turns into various guns? Reborn claims that nothing is "special" or "magicial" about their mafia skills, but he sure has some pretty magicial bullets aside from his unusual weapon of choice to try and whip Tsuna into shape. Despite the serious theme of being focused on the mafia, the series has more of a comedy feel than anything else.

Peg + Cat

Peg + Cat (2013)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


This serious has mediocre art, repetitive actions, and annoying music. In all honesty just watching one episode had me wanting to strangle the characters. Mercy didn't seem all taken with it. They did a repetitive and thorough job of explaining measuring, but I'm not sure the learning factor is worth the nuisance. Don't think this is going to be a favorite add on for possible kid's shows.

Riley Bloom 2: Shimmer

Riley Bloom 2: Shimmer by Alyson Noel

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Can't say this series is getting any better for me. Riley gets on my nerves so often I really can't like her character. Her "guide" isn't much better. About the only one I get some amusement out of is Buttercup, and he's a dog. That's a sad state of affairs. Riley goes off half cocked once again, only to land them in yet a bigger mess that she has to stumble her way through without a whole lot of "guidance" from her so-called guide. Our teenage heroine doesn't seem to have learned much either as she goes straight back to the actions that initially landed her in trouble when they return to the Here & Now. Not a very great foreshadow to how the council meeting may turn out. Overall the book is sluggish and lacks any real draw in as the characters feel one dimensional and make little to no progress.

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