Fantastic Beasts 2: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I may have accidentally watched these out of order, so there were several things that made more sense after watching this. Grindelwald also changes appearance rather significantly between the first movies and the last one, which is also confusing. We see more of Dumbledore and the older Hogwarts though, which is interesting to compare to films that take place later in the story. For example: how does Dumbledore go from wearing smart three piece suits in this trilogy to wearing flowing wizard gowns in the original Harry Potter series? Not sure we'll ever get answers to some of these oddities, but they are indeed still odd and interesting to observe.
September 25, 2022
Fantastic Beasts 2: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Cruella
Cruella (2021)
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
The acting is good, but the overall story is not the most engaging and is predictable. There is also no continuity when it comes to the actors from the other 101 Dalmatians or even the original character designs. For example, Anita was a designer, and now she's apparently an African American journalist? The only consistency in this regard is that she's considered a close friend to Cruella, though this seems to be more Cruella's thought to begin with and Anita doesn't particular seem to agree beyond the thought that yes, her past relationship in this case will allow her a leg up when it comes to the reporting aspect so she's seen as doing very well with her job. The movie also gives Cruella a much closer relationship with Horace and Jasper than originally seems apparent with the way she tends to abuse her lackies and hired help. On the other side, it does seem very clear how she turns out a little around the bend between her mother's original fate and dealing with the Baroness.
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
The acting is good, but the overall story is not the most engaging and is predictable. There is also no continuity when it comes to the actors from the other 101 Dalmatians or even the original character designs. For example, Anita was a designer, and now she's apparently an African American journalist? The only consistency in this regard is that she's considered a close friend to Cruella, though this seems to be more Cruella's thought to begin with and Anita doesn't particular seem to agree beyond the thought that yes, her past relationship in this case will allow her a leg up when it comes to the reporting aspect so she's seen as doing very well with her job. The movie also gives Cruella a much closer relationship with Horace and Jasper than originally seems apparent with the way she tends to abuse her lackies and hired help. On the other side, it does seem very clear how she turns out a little around the bend between her mother's original fate and dealing with the Baroness.
Fantastic Beasts 3: The Secrets of Dumbledore
Fantastic Beasts 3: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
A bit quirky and amusing, but also has it's fill of darker moments as things certainly don't go according to plan entirely. There are at least a few happy endings, though still some ambiguity as well. Also curious if we ever learn exactly how and when Dumbledore goes from wearing 3-piece suits and close shaved bears to full length beards and long flowing robes... seems a rather dramatic change for the character, though the suits also seem to fit in better with the general population and clothes worn by the public in the film.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
A bit quirky and amusing, but also has it's fill of darker moments as things certainly don't go according to plan entirely. There are at least a few happy endings, though still some ambiguity as well. Also curious if we ever learn exactly how and when Dumbledore goes from wearing 3-piece suits and close shaved bears to full length beards and long flowing robes... seems a rather dramatic change for the character, though the suits also seem to fit in better with the general population and clothes worn by the public in the film.
September 24, 2022
Weathering With You
Weathering With You (2019)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Hodaka is a runaway that doesn't seem to have much luck or much of an idea of how things work (really, who holds onto a gun of all things and thinks it's a lucky charm?!). Hina hasn't had much luck either as she's supporting her and her younger brother on her own, but she somehow seems to make things work. All of this is besides Hina miraculously becoming a real live "sunshine girl." Too bad there are consequences to this power that the kids have no clue about as they decide to try and capitalize on Hina's unique gifts to improve their own living situations. It's still unclear exactly why things were so bad that Hodaka decided to run away; his answers in the film seem superficial and vague. Despite this, these children learn some hard lessons and find their own family along the way.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Hodaka is a runaway that doesn't seem to have much luck or much of an idea of how things work (really, who holds onto a gun of all things and thinks it's a lucky charm?!). Hina hasn't had much luck either as she's supporting her and her younger brother on her own, but she somehow seems to make things work. All of this is besides Hina miraculously becoming a real live "sunshine girl." Too bad there are consequences to this power that the kids have no clue about as they decide to try and capitalize on Hina's unique gifts to improve their own living situations. It's still unclear exactly why things were so bad that Hodaka decided to run away; his answers in the film seem superficial and vague. Despite this, these children learn some hard lessons and find their own family along the way.
September 20, 2022
In Death 55: Desperation in Death
In Death 55: Desperation in Death by J.D. Robb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Excellent addition to the series showing growth in multiple characters. While there are more than a few tie ins to the past, and we see more background characters that aren't always even mentioned let alone have bigger parts to the stories, the pace is consistent and engaging as Eve navigates the newest case willingly bringing more people into the picture and intentionally working with them where in earlier years she might have considered Feeney alone. The children in this chapter of the In Death story are very lucky indeed that Auntie made a mistake leading Eve and her team to turn all of their considerable resources in the Academy's direction.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Excellent addition to the series showing growth in multiple characters. While there are more than a few tie ins to the past, and we see more background characters that aren't always even mentioned let alone have bigger parts to the stories, the pace is consistent and engaging as Eve navigates the newest case willingly bringing more people into the picture and intentionally working with them where in earlier years she might have considered Feeney alone. The children in this chapter of the In Death story are very lucky indeed that Auntie made a mistake leading Eve and her team to turn all of their considerable resources in the Academy's direction.
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