Ready to Run

Ready To Run (2000)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a direct to TV movie done by the Disney Channel that I hadn't heard of until recently. Of course, being about horses, I had to check it out. Some of the pieces are reminiscent of the movie Racing Stripes, which is another hilarious racing comedy. As a bonus, is it definitely kid friendly as my 3 year old got a kick out of watching this with me today. There's just the right mix of real life with unbelievable to make it hilarious and enjoyable. Not the best acting or filming job out there (predictable for it's release form), but still fun.

Wicked

Wicked (2003)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I first heard the music for Wicked back in college, though it wasn't until 2009 that I finally got to see it for the first time. Since then, I've seen the musical 3 times when it's come to town. While the story can be considered a bit racy at times (in fact the book is supposedly rather graphic), the music is thoroughly enjoyable. While Popular is, well, popular, and Defying Gravity is by far one of the more well known songs, my favorites are No Good Deed and For Good. This is another soundtrack that I can listen to constantly, or a show that I could see over and over again. There are rumors that it may be made into a movie in the future. My only hope is that they take the time to do it justice compared to the Broadway production if/when it happens.

The Piano Guys

The Piano Guys

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I first found The Piano Guys when I stumbled upon Cello Wars back when I was pregnant with my first child and bored on bed rest. I was thoroughly amused and delighted with the video, which lead to looking up their YouTube channel for an afternoon of entertainment. Since then, I've continued to enjoy their new releases, including their more recent popular compilations like Let It Go, Batman Evolution, & Jurassic Park. This group is just pure fun and a lot of good music. Makes them near impossible to resist listening to. More than one afternoon has been relaxing to their music, even with the kids.

Cinderella

Cinderella (2015)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Disney's live action re-make of their classic animated film is just as magical as ever. Rather than having the name "Cinderella" throughout though, young Ella becomes Cinderella as the story progresses, revealing how she goes from doted on young upper-class daughter to servant in her own home. Also rather liked how she actually stood up to her step-mother in the end when she was asked to go to the prince. A couple of noticeable differences, but they really made it work. The story is just as magical as ever.

Zootopia

Zootopia (2016)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Anthropomorphic mammals live in Zootopia together, be they predator or prey. Despite the idea that "anyone can be anything" now that they are all "civilized," there are still some very definite ideas of what is or isn't acceptable depending on your species. One little bunny, Judy Hopps, sets out to change all that.... and change it she does. With the unlikely help and friendship of one Nick Wilde, fox, she breaks the biggest case she could have ever hoped for and saves all of Zootopia from disaster. Turns out a "dumb bunny" was just what the city needed. This is a very cutsie "beat the odds" type movie that is fun for families and small children to enjoy.

Daredevil

Daredevil (2015)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


It's been awhile since anyone attempted to convert this film to the screen. In fact, I believe the last attempt was the movie back in 2003 which was not well received by the majority of watchers. Despite this previous "failure," bringing the Devil back as a TV series is a good move. Superhero shows especially seem to be well received and ranking high at the moment. If nothing else, it gives the series time to grow and adapt. Only a few episodes in, but it seems decent and I've heard great things down the grapevine. I wouldn't call Daredevil my favorite TV show, but it is proving entertaining.

Kamisama Kiss 22

Kamisama Kiss 22 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Yup, back in Yomi. Izanami seems like she wants to be both helpful and playful at the same time, which is a bit of an imbalance. Yatori was definitely not the best source for Tomoe to learn about Nanami's shortened life span though. On the other hand, it looks as if the news has also grabbed Kirihito's attention. Seeing as he's the one who originally took Nanami's life force, it would be interesting if he could help solve that little dilemma as well (instead of the killing another human option that everyone else keeps throwing around). Nanami does seem to have this mysterious ability of making people open their eyes and want to be with others in a good way.

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Kamisama Kiss 21

Kamisama Kiss 21 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Nanami seems determined to save Tomoe (again) and enjoy living with him while she still can. I wonder how long that will be if they end up back in Yomi to stop Akura-Ou though. That seems to be where this is all heading, and Yomi has more of the toxins that Nanami has been warned to avoid so as not to shorten her life span even more. I forget how fast and slow the story arcs unravel - fast because it's so quick to read them, but slow because of how many chapters they sometimes take overall.

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Kamisama Kiss 20

Kamisama Kiss 20 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Now we know just how much of a disaster Akihito taking "part" of Nanami's life force was. I have to believe something happens to correct this in the future for how much is left of the manga still; not to mention returning Tomoe to his normal form. Though will that form now stay a demon or still go to human with Nanami supposedly on death's door? At this rate, he might not get to make that decision again before it's taken away considering Nanami is his only reason for the action in the first place.

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Kamisama Kiss 19

Kamisama Kiss 19 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Well now, it seems even the favorite side characters are starting to find possible pairs. Akura-Ou is still a bit of a thorn in everyone's side. As is, apparently, Tomoe's idea of becoming human. Thought he'd be over that after the curse that nearly killed him, but I guess not. Though... Tomoe as an actual fox... I'm still laughing over that one!

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Kamisama Kiss 18

Kamisama Kiss 18 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Ami and Kei will both finally be filled in on everything. Ami has always been so timid; it will be interesting to see how she copes with this experience and the truth about Kurama. Kihirito/Akuro-Ou is the last thing Nanami needed, especially with her family's health history already in place. Good that she made the connection, though not so good that she's in such a state and has lost things she really can't afford to. Now that Tomoe is there, it will be interesting to see if they all escape again or if a new confrontation is about to unfold.

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Kamisama Kiss 17

Kamisama Kiss 17 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Yup, the hair pin is indeed more important than you might think when first seeing it. Tomoe appears to be both accepting and somewhat reluctant about the past if his last question about Yukiji is anything to go on. On the other side, he is both the same and at the same time more comfortable with Nanami in a very good way. They both obviously remember the same promise too, so that will be interesting. The flip-side is the fact that Nanami no longer has the Dragon King's eye, which is shown to be the only reason her line survived to have a child up to her life. So what will that mean for Nanami's health and lifespan now that these two only have their own futures to look forward to?

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Kamisama Kiss 16

Kamisama Kiss 16 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It looks more and more like it is Nanami that Tomoe really fell for and Yukiji ends up as her stand-in instead of the other way around. If the hints are correct, the hair pin Tomoe gave Nanami (that she then gives him in the past) is likely the "token" that must be retrieved to break the curse. Interesting, then, that Tomoe would buy it "over yonder" when he had no memory of it or it's true significance in the first place. Nanami was also partially correct in assuming that it had belonged to Yukiji.... when she was Yukiji.

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Kamisama Kiss 15

Kamisama Kiss 15 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Nanami goes back into the past again and ends up spending time with Akura-Ou while Yukiji gets another surprise encounter with Tomoe. Looks like everything is a matter of time. Time for Yukiji to learn about Tomoe, time for Tomoe to decide to become human and make a contract, time for Nanami to find the fallen god and learn how to break the contract, and time before Akura-Ou find Yukiji himself. The "past" visit volumes do seem to be a bit on the darker side, but it's reasonable for the time period and the difference in "wild" yokai vs our modern "tame" counterparts.

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Kamisama Kiss 14

Kamisama Kiss 14 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This volume continues on with the arc in the 2nd episode of the OAD with far more detail. Nanami meets Mizuki's first mistress before her days in a big shrine. Yukiji ends up Nanami's unlikely savior in the village, and it appears that it is in fact Nanami that is the reason Tomoe survives, though her caution about the timeline and similar appearance make it easy to convince Tomoe it is in fact Yukiji who is responsible for everything. No wonder the poor fox didn't have a chance against Nanami in the first place - she's really the one he first fell for; not Yukiji.

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Kamisama Kiss 13

Kamisama Kiss 13 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A lot of new material here as Kotaro accepts Himemiko in her true form and Tomoe finally remembers his past with Yukiji. Unfortunately, that also triggers his curse. Now Mikage is back and it will be Nanami's turn to save Tomoe. This is also, conveniently, where the OAD picks up. So far there are only 2 of the 4 episodes for this released, though the last 2 come out later this year. It will be interesting to compare them after having read the manga first this time as opposed to my impressions from the rest of the series.

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Kamisama Kiss 12

Kamisama Kiss 12 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


While Nanami does manage to get into yet more trouble here, Tomoe and Mizuki are both barely even there. Most of the story is actually about Himemiko and Kotarou, who finally learns the truth about Himemiko's nature. Interesting that it is the Dragon King who saves them and fills in the gaps. It looks like everything is going to collide in the swamps in a rather interesting manner.

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Kamisama Kiss 11

Kamisama Kiss 11 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Kirihito's part appears pretty consistent, but the New Years arc is different than what was animated. First off, it's the year of the dragon according to the manga, but they used a sheep in the anime. Secondly, the whole part with the yokai market and talismans wasn't in the anime at all. Ringing in the New Year and brief glimpses of all their yokai friends is, however, in line with the end of the second season. At this point, beyond possible crossovers with the OAD, I've run out of anime material to compare and it's pure new story. Should be something to look forward to.

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Kamisama Kiss 10

Kamisama Kiss 10 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Once again, just as entertaining in manga form as it was watching the anime. Jirou is certainly a surprise in the end. Tomoe once again seems to be right on the border of accepting and admitting his feelings, but can't seem to get around it entirely when Nanami is conscious. Kurama stalls a bit when it comes to facing the cavern to retrieve his father's soul, but seems to get over it alright in the end. It's amusing how all of the tengu are still so nervous around Nanami despite the children and all their high-ranking representatives being comfortable with her. You would think with how they were afraid of Jirou before, they would have stuck around for the banquet even after she sat next to him, considering it was by his own request.

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Kamisama Kiss 9

Kamisama Kiss 9 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It's amusing that I had the anime on in the background as I was reading this volume and realized it was the same episode. Here we see the end of the Izumo trip and the start of the Kurama Mountain arc when Tomoe and Nanami accompany Kurama (aka Shinjirou) back to his home to save his father. Kayoko makes another appearance, which of course is not in the anime. Jirou is painted as being rather violent and cruel, which is certainly true, yet also at odds with the reaction he has to Nanami (more so after she escapes). Overall the two releases are once again largely in sync. Kurama's home will prove to be yet another interesting adventure.

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Kamisama Kiss 8

Kamisama Kiss 8 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This continues from where Nanami finds herself in the Netherworld to the end of the Izumo summit. Seems to be back to pretty much word for word with the anime edition with the sole exception being the other familiars hassling Tomoe. It seems as though Tomoe is almost willing to accept his past and memories while still touting his line of denial. Hopefully the manga continues long enough that I'll see that finally change completely.

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Kamisama Kiss 7

Kamisama Kiss 7 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This volume covers the start of the Izumo conference, leading up to when Nanami and Kirihito fall into the Netherworld. Another slight difference between the anime and the manga comes in the form of confrontation Nanami lecturing the conference host on apologizing to Kayoko as she doesn't exist in the anime. Once again, mostly consistent between the two forms. Nanami is slowly starting to worry more about being the one doing the protecting instead of always being saved as she grows into her title. A nice change from the whiny child she originated as.

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Kamisama Kiss 6

Kamisama Kiss 6 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Here we have the biggest first real deviation from the anime and the manga. The spider demon finally appears in the library (in the manga we see this demon before the kagura festival and a more blob-like demon is in the library). There is also the addition of Kayoko, who does not exist at all in the anime, and her connection to Akihito. Can't help but feel a little sorry for her, but also still can't really like her personality or methods. It was a relief that she couldn't break the contract between Tomoe and Nanami. Nanami already has a few different mindsets and goals going into Izumo, so it will be interesting to see how that all plays out in the next volume.

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Kamisama Kiss 5

Kamisama Kiss 5 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Slightly more deviation in the events for the festival preparation and the "tests" thrown at Nanami between the manga and the anime in this volume. While there are no blatant kidnappings or demon attacks, the test "dream" is rather strange (might be why it was changed to the miasma and demon attack test in the anime instead). Nanami also uses a mask in her kagura dance in the manga that was absent in the anime. Himemiko and the dragon king also make an appearance not just attending the festival, but helping to plan it and host activities. Still, pretty close and still thoroughly enjoyable.

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Kamisama Kiss 4

Kamisama Kiss 4 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is when Nanami first discovers her own developing feelings for Tomoe and also his past relationship with Yukiji. While Tomoe seems fairly oblivious overall, Nanami has a lot of growing up to do in this part of the story. Mizuki, of course, takes a little bit of advantage when he becomes Nanami's second familiar, though it's also well timed as she would have died in the end. While it doesn't seem Tomoe really needs rescuing at the end of the day, it's rather amusing how the entire scene plays out with the Dragon King and the white oyster.

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Kamisama Kiss 3

Kamisama Kiss 3 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The series stays enjoyable and it appears the anime continues to follow the manga closely. It is also even more apparent why this series is so often recommended to readers who loved the Inuyasha manga. Not only is there the demon/human comparison (complete with both main demons sporting some rather adorable white ears), but the humor is sometimes similar. Mizuki, for example, is just as clueless kidnapping Nanami and constantly making declarations towards her as Kouga is with Kagome (though not as brash in his usual nature perhaps). So far, I'm glad I decided to delve into this manga.

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Kamisama Kiss 2

Kamisama Kiss 2 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is likely to be one of my favorite volumes of the series as it includes two of my favorite parts from the anime - Kurama getting turned into an ostrich and saved by Nanami, and chibi Tomoe. Nanami certainly does have a rather unconventional way of making friends and proving she belongs at the shrine.

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Kamisama Kiss 1

Kamisama Kiss 1 by Julietta Suzuki

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


After watching the anime during surgery recovery last week, I was left wanting more of Nanami and Tomoe, so I decided to check out the manga to see how closely the anime had followed and what happens past when the anime ended. So far, it appears that the anime very closely followed the manga. This makes for easy reading at least in the start of the story since it's already so familiar. Hopefully it will remain as enjoyable when I get to the "new" content. Tomoe especially is so contradictory that it's hard not to like him; or at least not be amused by him.

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