Christopher Robin

Christopher Robin (2018)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Christopher Robin is all grown up and has moved on with his life. That doesn't mean that the Hundred Acre Woods or it's residents have changed all that much however. Childhood clashes with present when Pooh Bear shows up in Christopher Robin's new home. Starting off on a new adventure leading to rediscovering his own childhood as well as some re-evaluation of his own future, Christopher and his new family and up on a bit of a wild ride chasing these "stuffed animals" through the city. For a live action adaptation that doesn't fall in the original timeline, it's done rather well, true to all the original characters, and rather cute to watch. Being live action however, there are many small adjustments made to the characters and how the Hundred Acre Woods connects to the the rest of the city that are more unique to this story. Not much in the overall tale other than sort of a superficial family plot. Things pick up so to speak, when the animals meet Christopher Robin's daughter for the firs time.

The Mustang

The Mustang (2019)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


This movie has some foundation in truth as the program showcased actually does exist in multiple states. A double plus as inmates are given something positive to work towards caring for and training these mustangs, while the horses are also given the foundation for a way to a good home. Having grown up spending as much time as I could get away with in a barn, I know first hand many of the lessons these majestic creatures can teach their riders if we're willing to listen. This story is no different as Roman goes through a series of discoveries about himself and the life he really wants while serving his time behind bars.

Dumbo

Dumbo (2019)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Being a live action adaptation, there are a lot of things that have to change in this children's classic. There is a lot more human interaction for one, as the animals don't actually talk. While we do see the mice, it is the children that ultimately find Dumbo's secret to flying, and it's a little more complex than just holding a feather, though the foundation is still there. Overall, it was well done to fit the new medium and still keep probably as true to the original story as possible given live action limitations.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse

Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse (2018)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Miles joins the ranks of Spider-Men rather unexpectedly, but that doesn't stop the bad guys from coming out of the woodwork. He has to learn some rather hard and fast lessons if he has any prayer of surviving, let alone helping his new friends find their ways home before they glitch out of existence in his realm. Overall, this is very well done and a very interesting mesh of all the different realities with their unique spider heroes.

Transformers 0.5: Bumblebee

Transformers 0.5: Bumblebee (2018)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


This isn't a seamless prequel add-on to the original start of this Transformers story, however it is true to character and maybe explains how Bumblebee comes to speak through his radio. Charlie is a walking contradiction, and despite ultimately trying to do the right thing, has more than a few issues of her own that need working on throughout the film. Overall, taking the movie in for it's own value, it's enjoyable. If you want a perfect fit to the established universe for this set, you might go a little crazy with some of the inconsistencies.

Venom 1

Venom 1 (2018)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


While Venom hails from the Spider-Man universe, we don't actually see the classic web-slinger at all in this movie. Instead, this solely focuses on Eddie Brock, and how he ends up entangled in the experiment that brings about Venom (and Carnage). There are enough similarities in the story and how it is portrayed that someone growing up with the series will still recognize this stand alone, however it has pulled in and created enough new material that it can stand on its own without Spider-Man or Peter Parker being involved. Of course, being a sentient space creature this time around, Venom is a lot more real than the alien super power suit he was in the original comics.

Mary Poppins Returns

Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Of course given the length of time between films, we have an all new cast, even if there are familiar characters. Michael is all grown up with a family of his own in the very same house, however Mary Poppins actually looks a great deal younger when she shows up than when she was his very own nanny. A refresher in the real importance of life and some Mary Poppins magic are all it takes for Michael to remember his own childhood adventures and a few other things to maybe turn around. Of course being a Disney film, and Mary Poppins on top of that, everything has to come out on top, even if there were more than a few depressing moments along the way. Instead of flying a kite at the end (though the kite is still rather prominently featured in this tale), we find balloons floating away at the end. You never know just what kind of adventure is in store when Mary Poppins shows up at your door.

Marvel Cinematic Universe 23: Spider-Man 2 [Far From Home]

MCU 23: Spider-Man 2 [Far From Home] (2019)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


They actually did an excellent job with how the designed Mysterio. The ending however, is either a set up for a lot of chaos as it triggers a man hunt for Peter Parker or is Fox pretty much handing Disney an impossible knot to unravel for their takeover. MJ is amusing, and the hand off from Iron Man to Spider-Man, including the same music playing as he designs his new suit, is a nice little added touch. The end credit scene with Nick Fury is also entertaining - where'd he put his shoes?

My Childhood Friend is My Hero!

My Childhood Friend is My Hero! by Tama Mizuki

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


It's cute and disturbing at the same time. The two main characters are cousins, which gives it that this is off vibe, on top of Monjirou's overprotective and basically stalker behavior. Nao is the innocent one, often blaming himself for things that go wrong, overly clumsy, and constantly being rescued by his cousin. Of course there's mention of a family feud, but other than the fact Nao and his mother live apart from the rest of the family, and apparently go by a different family name, there is no other real mention or sign of this. Could have potential if it continued, but not entirely sure where it stands at the moment, and it doesn't look like there's been anything new in the series for awhile.

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Love Is An Illusion

Love Is An Illusion by Fargo

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


They really kind of did everything backwards here. Started with having a baby and ended with marriage after bonding, living together, meeting the family, and kind of dating after all of that but before the wedding (and turning down the initial proposal). For all the Hyeseong is the "useless omega," he really comes across as more of a brat. Dojin comes from a rich family, and for all intents and purposes ignores their way of life so long as it doesn't fit in with what he wants to do at the time. Then there's Heesoo, who really needs to stay out of Hyeseong and Dojin's relationship. He should maybe be more worried about what/where he's going with Dojun (because of course brothers need to have similar names too).

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Tsugai ni Narenai

Tsugai ni Narenai by Tsumugi Kosaka

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Ritsu manages to somehow make a mess of everything and turn it all backwards. Starting with assuming Satoshi is a beta, acting like he's now a slut instead of still a virgin at the start, jumping to conclusions on pregnancy, and all the ways he turns around their relationship as if it is currently healthy while they are both lying to each other. Currently ends just shy of everything coming clean, but it looks as if the series is still ongoing. Unsure if I find it appealing enough to look up again in the future for the conclusion if it does continue and not drop off like many other series have.

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Omega Shunki

Omega Shunki by Akahoshi Jake

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This whole thing is interesting and weird at the same time. There this division in the species, and yet they all intermingle at the same time. The main pair coming together is cute, as they essentially grow up together. However, the ending with their firstborn pairing with the doctor (who his mother originally was attracted to as well), is more than a little strange. Same with them apparently having to give up any other children after their first (and only singular birth from the sound of it). Then there's the younger brother from the second birth coming back fully grown to take over the hospital.... running that hospital sounds to be a rather odd job that is more than a little unusual in and of itself.

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Ookami wo Karu Housoku

Ookami wo Karu Housoku by J. L. Langley

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Yet another story that feels like it is incomplete. Could be there will be future releases in the series, or maybe not. In this case, Chay and Keaton (aka "Bit") are both werewolves from different packs. With the exception of Remi, Chay's best friend, and his mother (who has some serious prejudice issues), everyone seems to be fine with their relationship, regardless of if they know about the whole werewolf/mate thing or not. Now if they could just figure out who is trying to kill Keaton....

Note: This is based on the novel, Without Reservations.

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Tsuki no Ura wo Koete: Omegaverse 1

Tsuki no Ura wo Koete: Omegaverse 1 by Shibito Koiwazurai

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Interesting start, if not a somewhat backwards way of introducing the backstory with the flashbacks. It appears that not everyone knows about the omegaverse either, despite it being part of the every day population, which is kind of strange. The story itself is left incomplete and unfinished with a lot of unanswered questions.

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Castle Cats

Castle Cats (Android)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


I could tell just from going through the tutorial that this RPG style on android would end up driving me nuts. The idea looks cute, but there are too many pieces when looking for a simple game on a phone to truly enjoy it. This looks like something that would be better developed and more enjoyable in the vein of the Tales of games on an actual console. Sadly, not one that will be staying on my phone despite my love for cats.

Mr. Love: Queen's Choice

Mr. Love: Queen's Choice (Android)

My rating: 1.5 of 5 stars


While the art is beautiful, the story play is highly confusing and the pieces to earn points and skills for various things take a long time. In it's most basic form, it reminds me of Ikemen Sengoku: Romances Across Time, though the other is still far simpler to play despite it's many pieces and events as well. There is also minimal ability to earn other skills or ways to level up when stalled, which leaves the player feeling like they won't really progress through the story the way they want to. Hard to feel happy about playing if you constantly feel confused and unprepared for everything.

June's Journey

June's Journey (Android)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is sort of a computerized version of hide and seek, with a story added into the mix. While the wait time to acquire more energy might be annoying when you finally get into a finding groove, the story and game play itself is more interesting than a lot of other puzzle games that appear to be almost cardboard cutouts off each other.

Meow Match

Meow Match (Android)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is similar in style to other puzzle/story games as Matchington Mansion and Homescapes. The difference is that you are collecting cats and rebuilding things to their preference in the story. As much as I enjoy the puzzle challenges, it is rather annoying to continually see placement choice type games only to end up with more puzzles and style selection with no other choice to play the game. Seems like a rather large misdirect to how these games are actually played.

Word Stacks

Word Stacks (Android)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


While the game itself is interesting, sometimes it gets dull searching for words and there's nothing else to it. If you want hints, you have to earn a lot of coins to pay for them. The idea is entertaining; the execution loses it's novelty fairly quickly.