Louis Armstrong - What a wonderful world ( 1967 )

This is beautiful.  Song is written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss and recorded originally by Louis Armstrong.  It had been offered to Tony Bennet who turned it down.  It was actually initially more popular in England than the United States.  However it has since been added to the Grammy Hall of Fame.  Other artists have also performed this song, but the original version is considered the best.  I so love the trombone playing in this.  It is incredible.

Book Review: The Reptile Room: Series of Unfortunate Event 2

The Reptile Room: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book the Second by Lemony Snicket, illustration by Brett Helquist, Harper Collins Publisher, New York, 1999.
This book continue the tragic story of our three orphans.  In this case, they are taken in by a kind guardian, Uncle Monty, who studies snakes.  He has collected snakes from all over the world.  Everything goes well until he hires a new assistant.  However the new assistant is actually Count Olaf.  The orphans have a terrible time convincing anyone of his identity, and then it is too late, Uncle Monte dies from an apparent snake bite, and the assistant (Olaf) is in a rush to take the orphans on a trip to Peru, where he can get their money and dispose of the kids.  Will no one come to their rescue, or if not how can the three siblings make thing right?  I am having great fun with this series, and with the personalities of the three children.

Picture Book Review: Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss

Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss (The Simplest Seuss for Youngest Use) Random House, New York, 1963.
This book is a nightmare for every father.  You don't know how many times I have ben hopped upon.  I blame it all on Seuss.  "Hop Pop We like to hop.  We like to hop on top of Pop.  Stop  You must not hop on Pop."  Those few words have lead to many a smashed belly.  Hopping on Grand Pop is also a favorite activity of children.  This is one of the Seuss books for beginning readers.  It uses very few words, but has many rhyming words.  Even with so few words he draws they reader into the stories.  He tells of Mr. Brown, the thing that can sing, and Pat who sat on a hat.

Movie Review: **Curious George 3: Back to the Jungle (2015)

In this Curious George episode, George (Frank Welker) goes to space to retrieve a part off a satellite, which they want to use to help control and dam and stop flooding in Africa.  George retrieves the device, but has some problems upon reentry into Earth's atmosphere, and his ship ends up in Africa, where George has to save the day as a terrible storm approaches which will flood uncontrolled.  Ted (Jeff Bennett) (the Man in the Yellow Hat) also goes on the rescue mission, and sort of, George rescues him.  The man from NASA is played by Jeff Goodman.  The also meet an animal doctor (Angela Bassett) in Africa, and she takes them to see many of the animals.  This is a great film for a child who can't get enough Curious George, and a great change of pace from watching the same one over and over.

Book Review: The Bad Beginning or, Orphans (A Series of Unfortunate Events No. 1)

The Bad Beginning or, Orphans: A Series of Unfortunate Events No. 1, by Lemony Snicket, illustrations by Brett Helquist, Harpertrophy, New York, 1999.
This is the beginning of this series of 13 books.  In this we are introduced to three children, the Baudelaire children, Violet, Klaus and Sunny, who are made orphans in the first chapter.  They have inherited a large fortune, which is the only reason anyone takes an interest in them.  Certainly Mr. Poe from the bank, really is not interested in their welfare, but his status at the bank with handling a large account.  And definitely no Count Olaf, who schemes of getting his hands on the money.  Mr. Poe appoints the Count as their legal guardian.  The judge who lives next door would take an interest, but the cannot live with her as she is not a relative.  The parents will, before being burned in a fire, states they must be raised by relatives.
In this book terrible things happen.  they are made to live in deplorable conditions, they are set to do excessive amounts of work, but worse Klaus is hit, Sunny is locked in a cage, and Violet is force to marry the Count.  It seems they have no where to turn, and those who should have protected them fail to do so.
Lemony Snicket's style of writing is very catching.  He often goes down, "you shouldn't read this book" etc.  He also has an interesting way of explaining words.

Jack Johnson - Sing-A-Long and Lullabies from Curious George

the link starts with upside down, but goes through all the songs.  I think my favorite is "We Are Goin to be Friends."  I like the rhythms and the feel of these songs.  they make you feel good.

 

Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies for the Film Curious George 

We Are Going to be Friends

Fall is here, hear the yell

Back to school, ring the bell

Brand new shoes, walking blues

Climb the fence, books and pens

I can tell that we are going to be friends

Yes, I can tell that we are going to be friends

Walk with me, Suzy Lee

Through the park and by the tree

We can rest upon the ground

And look at all the bugs we've found

Safely walk to school without a sound

We safely walk to school without a sound

Well, here we are no one else

We walk to school all by ourselves

There's dirt on our uniforms

From chasing all the ants and worms

We clean up and now it's time to learn

We clean up and now it's time to learn

Numbers, letters learn to spell

Nouns and books and show and tell

Play time, we will throw the ball

Then back to school through the hall

The teacher marks our height against the wall

The teacher marks our height against the wall

And we don't notice any time pass

'Cause we don't notice anything

We sit side by side in every class

The teacher thinks that I sound funny

But she likes it when you sing

Tonight I'll dream while my bed

While silly thoughts run through my head

Of the bugs and alphabet

And when I wake tomorrow I'll bet

We will walk together to school again.

'Cause I can tell that we are going to be friends

I can tell that we are going to be friends

Movie Review: **^Pete's Dragon (2016)

I just don't like this version of Pete's Dragon as much as the original, although the special effects are much better, and the dragon is much more realistic.  The story is almost totally different, other then a boy, lost in the woods is taken in by a dragon.  However when civilization encroaches, bad things are going to happen and things are going to change.  Pete (Oakes Fegley) is lost in the woods when his parents die in a car accident.  The dragon rescues him from wolves.
Meacham (Robert Redford) tells the story to the local kids of when he saw the dragon.  He is not believed.  Pete and the dragon have a nice life together for several years.  It isn't until the loggers reach their forest that things change.  A forest ranger, Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard) discovers Pete, and takes him home.  Now the dragon is looking for Pete everywhere, and makes it to the village.  The loggers however are after the dragon, and eventually capture him.  So who is going to rescue the dragon in the end.
This is a movie of goodbye, which is hard sometimes.  However Pete does find a family, and so does the dragon.

Movie Review: Curious George (2006)

This is a full length movie based on the lovable monkey of Margret and H.A. Rey.  Will Ferrell gave voice to Ted, The Man with the Yellow Hat.  There is a woman (Drew Barrymore) who has interest in Ted  the museum owner (Dick Van Dyke) and his son Junior (David Cross) who is determined to sell the museum for a parking garage.  George's noises are voiced by Frank Welker.
In this movie, George befriends Ted when he visits Africa looking for a relic.  George comes away with his hat, and follows him to America, and eventually to his apartment.  The relic, turns out to be only three inches tall.  However it is billed to be 40 feet tall.  And this was the last effort to save the museum.  George, in his usual way, crashes the dinosaur bones, and all efforts seem to fail.  Ted has to eventually decide what is really important.
I found this movie cute, and the grand babies love it.  It is good for the little ones, however even Tony likes it.  The music is very catchy.  It was done by Jack Johnson.  The music track CD album hit number 1.

Upside Down lyrics - Jack Johnson

Who's to say

What's impossible

Well they forgot

This world keeps spinning

And with each new day

I can feel a change in everything

And as the surface breaks reflections fade

But in some ways they remain the same

And as my mind begins to spread its wings

There's no stopping curiosity

I want to turn the whole thing upside down

I'll find the things they say just can't be found

I'll share this love I find with everyone

We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's songs

I don't want this feeling to go away

Who's to say

I can't do everything

Well I can try

And as I roll along I begin to find

Things aren't always just what they seem

I want to turn the whole thing upside down

I'll find the things they say just can't be found

I'll share this love I find with everyone

We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's songs

This world keeps spinning and there's no time to waste

Well it all keeps spinning spinning round and round and

Upside down

Who's to say what's impossible and can't be found

I don't want this feeling to go away

Please don't go away

Please don't go away

Please don't go away

Is this how it's supposed to be

Is this how it's supposed to be

The song "We Are Going to be Friends is just as enjoyable. 

Picture Book Review: The Tale of Two Bad Mice

The tale of Two Bad Mice by Beatrix Potter, Frederick Warne, London, 1904.
This is a reproduction of the original.  These mice aren't really bad, except that the have a very bad anger reaction when they come upon what they think is a feat, only to find that the food is not real, but plastic food for a doll house.  In their temper they commit an act of vandalism against the doll house.  However, they make up for it later when they help clean up and they leave a coin they found to help pay for repairs.  What is the reason to have plastic food around anyway?
I enjoy these stories.

Book Review: Jack London: Five great Short Stories

Five great Short Stories, by Jack London, Dover Publications, New York, 1992.
These stories are well titled, they are great.  They are taken from some of Jack London's books, Tales of the far North, South Sea tales and The Night-born.  It shows London was a much broader writer than just the Klondike north, although that is were he produced his best work.  The characters in these stories are fascinating.  He writes of the South Pacific, and he writes of the Mexican Revolution, as well as the far North.  He tells the story of a Native, whose wife is stolen and spends his life trying to find her, and when he does, she does not want him back, of two men who are bound to kill each other, of the death of another man on the winter trail, of the guiding of a boat which is on fire, and lastly of a young revolutionary.  I was drawn into to each of the stories and enjoyed them.

Movie Review: ****Pete's Dragon (1977)

This is the original Pete's Dragon, and it is a bonafide musical.  I really enjoy musicals so I have to give this movie the nod as to the best Pete's Dragon.  Nora (Helen Reddy) lives with her father (Mickey Rooney) where the tend a light house.  The come upon an orphan boy who is running from his adoptive parents, who mean for him to do their work and they are abusive to him.  Mrs. Gagon, the mother is portrayed by Shelley Winters.  The other two character are a shyster doctor (Jim Dale) and his assistant (Red Buttons).  When the doctor gets word of a dragon he is determined to catch him and chop him up so he can use every bit.  There is plenty to like with this movie, but it is another one of those bad adoption stories.  However the relationship between Nora and Pete is sweet.  She is able to become his new mother.
Reddy sings a very popular song, "Candle on the Water:"

I'll be your candle on the water

My love for you will always burn

I know you're lost and drifting

But the clouds are lifting

Don't give up you have somewhere to turn

I'll be your candle on the water

'Till ev'ry wave is warm and bright

My soul is there beside you

Let this candle guide you

Soon you'll see a golden stream of light

A cold and friendless tide has found you

Don't let the stormy darkness pull you down

I'll paint a ray of hope around you

Circling in the air

Lighted by a prayer

I'll be your candle on the water

This flame inside of me will grow

Keep holding on you'll make it

Here's my hand so take it

Look for me reaching out to show

As sure as rivers flow

I'll never let you go

I'll never let you go

I'll never let you go...

In this version Pete the dragon is animated while the rest of the characters are real.  I have already really loved this show.

Disney Movie Review: ***^Hercules (1997)

Not the best Disney, I must admit.  Hades' side kicks were just too obnoxious.  However that one song, "Go the Distance" makes this a worthwhile experience.  It was sung by Roger Bart even though Hercules was voiced by Tate Donovan and Josh Keaton.  Meg, his love interest is played by Susan Egan, and she also sings the song, "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)."  In this movie Hercules must save the day, but this is after he gives away his heroic strength to save Meg.
The love interest plays a good part in making this movie enjoyable.  Alan Menken wrote the music.  Charlton Heston also has a cameo part.

Movie Review: **The Accidental Husband (2008)

This is a romantic comedy.  Sometimes I think the producers of these shows miss the mark, and consequently I can't give this show high marks.  First the main character commits a crime by hacking some one's data, with the help of a juvenile family member because only juveniles know anything about computers, and makes himself the husband of a radio commentator who he blames for ruining his own chances at love.  And at one time he forces himself on her, despite her repeated requests to stop.  Of course this is one of the scenes if you push hard enough eventually they will like it.  How many rapes are justified with that attitude.  So even though this movie is cute and all, I cannot recommend it.  I was hoping the fiance would win in the end, but I was disappointed.
fireman and hacker (Jeffrey Dean Morgan)
The radio host (Uma Thurman)
the fiance (Colin Firth)

Animated Movie Review: Coraline (2009)

If this movie doesn't, no movie ever will convince you not to creep around the attic.  It also teaches that sometimes things are not what they seem.  Coraline (Dakota Fanning) goes through the attic to meet her other parents.  They are nicer than her real parents, and she is drawn to them, until it is almost too late.  I really like the depiction of the cat.  The animation was very similar to a Tim Burton movie, with its long limbs and skinny bodies, unless the opposite is emphasized.  It was written and directed by Henry Selick.

Music Review: Frankie Valli: Romancing the 60s

There are some songs in this 1960s set that are worth remembering.  Frankie Vlli started with The Four Seasons before launching a solo career.  It appears this was recorded by Frankie Valli in 2007 of songs he like from the 60s.  Most are covers.  My favorite is "What a Wonderful World" but admittedly this isn't my favorite version of the song.   "Any Day Now" is very nice.  I really like the opening, "I'll bless the day I found you."  It is sung with great sentiment.   "Let it be Me" and "Call Me" are also in this same vein, beautiful songs.  "My Girl" is also very nice and has that special feel.  However the cream here is "On Broadway."  This song was an original for the Drifters.  This is a song that gets you moving.  "They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway.  They say there's always magic in the air."  This song gets you moving.

Musical Movie Review: ***^Brigadoon (1954)

Gene Kelly puts his spin on this Lerner and Loewe musical.  Kelly is credited with the choreography.  This is a musical I was in at one point in my life, so the story I know well.  They did some nice things here, and the left out some which I miss.  Tommy Allbright (Gene Kelly) and Jeff Douglas (Van Johnson) are hunting when they loss their way.  Out of the mist a town, Brigadoon, which is not on the map.  It is a magical town.   Here we see what happens when two cultures collide.  It proves well for Tommy, and a nightmare for Jeff.  Tommy meets Fiona (Cyd Charisse) and Charlie Dalrymple (Jimmy Thompson) and his fiance Jean (Virginia Bosler), Fiona's sister.  The miracle town is doomed when one member of the town decides to leave.  His leaving will end the miracle and they will all be doomed.   The part that was minimized in the movie is that of Meg (Dodie Heath) in fact they cut both of her songs, as well as a Fiona song.
However they add a rousing tap number, with the Scottish characters being totally amused by something new, as well as some nice dance scenes.  The big dance is after the wedding.

Picture Book Review: The Bike Lesson (Berenstain Bears)

The Bike Lesson, Stan and Jan Berenstain, Random House, New York, 1964.
This is my favorite Berenstain Bear.  I love how Papa Bear gives the bike lessons, and when things go wrong he keeps saying, let that be a lesson how not to do things.  He doesn't lose a beat.  This is a common theme in the Berenstain Bear books, and they seem to have made it work.

Movie Review: ****Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016)

This is a fascinating story of Alice (Mia Wasikowska) coming back to Wonderland to save the Hatter (Johnny Depp.)  This is a story of believing, and of making amends.  The two sisters, whose feud dates back to a stolen cookie when they were little, are set against each other.  The Queen of hearts, Iracebeth (Helena Bonham Carter), has been extracting revenge on people for many years, and her sister Mirana (Anne Hathaway) has often felt her wrath.  In this movie, The Hatter is missing his family who are presumed dead.  Alice goes back in time, and discovers they are not.  However in going back, she is breaking Time (Sacha Baron Cohen) and the whole world is in danger.
Of note here is the change of hair color of the Hatter.  At one point he is near death and his hair is all white.  The makeup of Iracebeth is also fantastic with her painted heart.

Book Review: Nate the Great Talks Turkey: With help from Olivia Sharp

Nate the Great Talks Turkey by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Mitchell Sharmat, illustrated by Jody Wheeler, Delacorte Press, New York, 2006.
This is my second Nate the great book, and I think it will be my last.  I do not find the characters very likeable.  Nate the great and Olivia Sharp are cousins.  Instead I find them full of themselves.  In this book they are after a wild turkey which has been showing up around town.  Olivia flies in from California to join the hunt.  And they both have success in their way.

Picture Book Review: The Bear Scouts

The Bear Scouts by Stan and Jan Berenstain, Random House, New York, 1967.
this is one of my favorite Berenstain Bear books.  I always enjoyed scouts, and these Bear Scouts make their own canoe.  This presents a common theme of the father who thinks he knows more than he does, and the Bear Scouts who pick him up because they are reading the book.  Great emotion in the pictures, especially Papa Bear.

Book Review: Fablehaven (5): Keys to the Demon Prison

Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison, by Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman, Shadow Mountain, Salt Lake City, UT, 2010.
This is the fifth and climatic installment of this fascinating fantasy series.  It is interesting things always seem to be able to get worse.  And in this book, both of the siblings, Kendra and Seth end up prisoners of the evil Sphinx.  However there are things even more evil than the misguided Sphinx, who himself repents in the end.  Seth himself is fooled by the demon Graulas, who had earlier befriended him.  He tricks Seth into restoring him, but that doesn't go too well.  So we are faced with a last desperate battle against the demons as the arise from their captivity ready to take over the world.  There are many unexpected twists in this show, and it keeps you jumping until the end.  The only sad part is having to say goodbye to the characters.  However I understand there is a sequel five book set coming out.  So the fun continues.

Movie Review: Bullitt (1968)

Her is an older, 1960s police movie.  Steve McQueen stars as Bullitt, who is in charge of guarding a witness for an investigation.  The witness is leaving "the organization" and as such is a target.  However he never testifies, as he is murdered.
Turns out that things aren't as the seem.  Lieutenant Bullit and the district Attorney Chalmers (Robert Vaughn) do not really like each other.  Chalmers is use to throwing his weight around to get his way.  In this case, he hopes to make political points but have appearing strong against crime.
This movie has a bit too much chase, over the San francisco hills without anyone getting killed.  Well in the end, only the bad guys get killed.  Pretty gruesome scene.  This movie does have a few bloody scenes, so not appropriate for those who may be effected by this.  However it is rated PG.

Movie Review: Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

This is a classic romance, and refers in several instances to another classic romance, "An Affair to Remember."  In this movie, Sam Baldwin has lost his wife to an illness.  His son Jonah (Ross Malinger), several months later is worried about him, and calls a late night talk show therapist.  He then puts his dad on the line, who goes ahead and describes his relationship with his wife.  At this point, every woman listening has fallen in love with him, and it leads to a letter campaign.  In the meantime, Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), a reporter also heard the broadcast live.  She doubts her own engagement to Walter (Bill Pullman).  She decides to pursue the story, as there is so much interest.  She even flies to Seattle from Baltimore, and sees him from afar.  He sees her as well, but they don't meet.  Of all the letter sent to them from around the country, Jonah picks Annie.  He makes arrangements for them to meet on the Empire State Building on Valentines.  However Sam refuses to go.  Jonah's friend helps him purchase a plane ticket, and he goes on his own.  So Sam follows, and fate is fate.
Good love story, but it does seem a bit far fetched.  But love always wins out in the end.  Even the fiance is OK with things.  Go figure.

Movie Review: **^Doctor Strange (2016)

Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a neurosurgeon.  He is in a bad car accident, and after he cannot keep his hands still, and surgery is out of the question.  He finally turns to Eastern medicine, and meets the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) who not only teacher him how to control his hands, but how to use his mind to create different realities and how to great fire weapons.  Turns out some of the Ancient One's students have turned against her, and joined forces with an evil creature from the Thor world.  To fix things, Doctor Strange must first confront this being.
I didn't really care for this movie, neither did Tony who watched it with me.  I really couldn't get into it and it seemed confusing.

Book Review: Fablehaven (4): Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary

Fablehaven: Secrets 0f the Dragon Sanctuary, by Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman, Aladdin Paperback, New York, 2009.
The adventure continues.  In this book, the team decides to go after one of the keys to one of the magical items which is needed to open the demon prison.  They go after it in the hopes of keeping it away from the Sphinx, who seems to be able to work the Oculus, where he can see where anything in the world.  The key is in a very dangerous realm of the dragons.  They hope to re-hide it where he can't get to it.  However, in this they are mistaken due to a major betrayal in the end.  I must admit, I never saw it coming.  In this book it is always hard to tell who is on the bad side and who is on the good.

Children's Book Review: I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! Dr. Seuss

I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! by Dr. Seuss, Random House, New York, 1978.
The Cat in the Hat reads can ready with his eyes shut.  But it makes his head ache and his hat droop he tells a younger Cat in the Hat.  And so with so many places to see why would you want to?

Book Review: Fablehaven (3): Grip of the Shadow Plague

Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague, by Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman, Aladdin Paperbacks, New York, 2008.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series of fantasy books, in which a world of magical creatures exists with reserves in remote areas.  In this case, we get a double bonus, as two stories are told at the same time.  One is the visit to the Table Mesa Reserve, and the other is at home in the Fablehaven Reserve.  Both reserves are under attack by forces of the Morning Star.  Both stories lead to the deaths of heroic characters.  The story around Fablehaven is the most dire.  Some type of shadow plague has been unleashed, and slowly the humans are turned to shadows, and the creatures are turned to dark.  Only giving up light can these forces be combatted.  Also a visitor from the past is able to help them in their struggles.
I am really enjoying the characters/  The interaction between the siblings, Seth and Kendra, is really enjoyable, and you also get the hint of the love behind the relationship even thought they bump heads.  The overprotection of the grandparents gets annoying, although is understandable.  This is a great series to red if you are looking for some fun.  This book answers the questions about the Sphinx' true nature, is he bad or good.

Movie Review: The Cat's Meow

This is an interesting movie, with a very good cast of characters.  It tells a version of events aboard the boat of William Randolph Hearst (Edward Herrmann).  His wife Marion Davies (Kirsten Dunst) is thought to be involved in an affair with Charlie Chaplin (Eddie Izzard).  She is not, but Charlie is in love with her.  Thomas Ince (Cary Elwes) is hoping for a business deal with Heart to keep his career going, and for some reason flames the rumors of the illicit relationship between Chaplin and Davies.  This has terrible consequences for him.  The best part of movie is watching the jealousy of Hearst.  It finally blooms out of control.  A gossip reporter, Louella Parsons (Jennifer Tilly) is also on board, and observes the events.  Herrmann does an excellent job with the part.  Dunst is always good, and this case her bubbly personality comes through.
This movie is enjoyable, and it also is a good study of misperceptions and jealousy.  At times it is just a bit too busy; but since it is based on a party on a cruise, maybe the director intended it to be that way.