Picture Book Review: Moonstruck: The True Story of the Cow Who Jumped Over the Moon

Moonstruck: The True Story of the Cow Who Jumped Over the Moon by Gennifer Choldenko illustrated by Paul Yalowitz, Scholastic, New York, 1997.
A silly story about the cow, who trained with the horses, so he could jump over the moon.  This is about someone doing something they are not expected to be able to do, because of their own dream and desire. 

Movie Review: ***^ Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)

Jumanji is just a fun movie.  It is not a movie with any moral lessons, but just to have a good time.  Four high school kids, transport themselves from high school detention to inside the Jumanji Game, where they have to go through a series of levels, and save Jumanji.  At the same time, they have only three lives.  In real life a nerd, Spencer (Alex Wolff) becomes the hero in Jumanji (Dwayne Johnson.)  The football player, Fridge (Ser'Darius Blain) becomes the back pack holder (Kevin Hart.)  the socialite Bethany (Madison Iseman) changes gender, loses her phone and becomes a zoologist (Jack Black.)  Martha, a nerdy woman (Morgan Turner) becomes the woman in short shorts (Karen Gillam.)  Each has their own skills and weaknesses.  Spencer is a good runner and climber.  Fridge blows up when he eats cake, Martha is good at fight dancing and Bethany knows animals.  However the team is not complete until they find someone who has been in the game for 20 years, Alex (Nick Jonas.)  This movie is pretty OK throughout.  There are some cracks at humor based on the changing gender, and part of Bethany. 

Movie Review: ****^The Greatest Showman (2017)

This is a positive thinking film of the first order.  It shows what happens when you chase a dream, lose sight of the dream, and then regain your focus.  P.T. Barnum is from a poor family, with a big dream and a love of his life who is from a rich family.  How can he support her in the style she deserves.  He comes upon the idea of presenting those who are on the edge of society, a midget, a bearded lady, a tall man, a fat man etc.  His show in New York keeps getting bigger and expanding.  However he loses sight we he tries to be accepting by the aristocratic society, financing a U.S. tour of a European opera star.
P.T. Barnum... Hugh Jackman
His wife Charity Barnum...Michelle Williams
Co M.C. Phillip Carlyle...Zac Efron
Trapeze artist...Zendaya
Opera singer Jenny Lind...Rebecca Ferguson
Bearded woman Lenny Lutz...Keala Settle
Midget Tom Thumb... Sam Humphrey
Young P.T. Barnum...Ellis Rubin
Barnum children Caroline and Helen...Austyn Johnson and Cameron Seely
This movie is thoroughly entertaining throughout.  Tony and Miranda are still singing the songs.  The theme of pursuing your dreams is prominent.

Martina McBride's Christmas Songs [[full album]]

This is an DVD with most of my favorite songs.  There is "Silver Bells," "Do You Hear What I Hear?," "Away in a Manger," "Silent Night" and "What Child Is This?"  Even part of this set, as songs from four different versions.  There are  additional and different songs and even different covers.  Some of the songs include "Blue Christmas" with Elvis Presley and "Baby It's Cold" with Dean Martin."  Plenty of fun listening.  McBride has a beautiful voice that is very clear.

Picture Book Review: What Do You Do Dear?

What Do You Do Dear by Sesyle Joslin, illustrated by Maurice Sendak, Young readers Press, New York, 1969.
This is a storybook I loved as a child.  It presents a totally ridiculous situation, and then asks for the polite response.  Such as thanking your guest before leaving when a dragon comes to the party or cover your mouth when you cough because you are smoking a peace pipe.

Movie review: ***^Geronimo (1993)

This is a made for TV movie.  It features Wes Studi as Geronimo.  This is a movie that portrays the native Americans in a positive light.  It starts where Geronimo gives himself up the first time, explains his leaving the reservations and going back on the warpath with a small group.  It shows those things which lead to his arrest, or surrender the second time.  He was shipped to a PPOW camp in Florida.  He was allowed to eventually live the prison, but never allowed to return to his home territory.  He was relocated to Oklahoma. 
Others portraying roles in this movie include Matt damon as Lieutenant Britton Davis, who was part of the surrender, Jason Paric as Lt. Charles Gatewood, who actually negotiated the surrender,  for which he was banned to obscurity, Gene Hackman as Brigadier General George Crook, Robert Duvall as Al Sieber, a scout, Rodney A. Grant as Mangas, an Apache scout and Kevin Tighe as General Nelson Miles.   I am not a judge of how accurate this film is.  It often uses the Apache language with subtitles.  I imagine many Native American actors had to learn the language, as well as some Americans who communicate with the Native Americans. 

Movie review: ****^Coco (2017)

This movie may be the crowning jewel of the holiday season.  It is a Day of the Dead movie.  This is a holiday in much of Latin America, where the citizens honor their ancestors.  This movie does an excellent job of portraying this day, and the importance of keeping the tradition thriving.  In this film, those who are forgotten cease to exist, and remembering them the continue to exist.  The art work is tremendous in this animated feature.  This movie is about following your dream, but also affording family their proper place and respect.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and the family depicted with their many ancestors.  It comes to us from Disney and Pixar.
Anthony Gonzalez as Miguel
Gaél Garcia Bernal as Hector
Benjamin Bratt as Ernesto de la Cruz
Alanna Ubach as Mamá Imelda

Movie Review: ****^The Christmas Orange (2012)

This is a delightful movie from Covenant Communications.  Rose (Bailee Johnson) is an orphan, but she has found a very nice orphanage.  All of that changes with a flu plague.  Several of the girls pass away, as does the mother (Nancy Stafford) of the ophanage.  There is no one to replace her, and so all of the children are sent away.  Some are taken in by families, but the older chlidren such as Rose are sent to other orphanages.  Rose goes to Irongate which is run by a strict master, Mr. Crampton (Edward Hermann).  His brother, Joe, (Bruce Newbold) is a less invested member of the management, but is not as harsh.
Mr. Cramptom comes off as unfeeling, because his adult daughter has run away and has no contact with his father.  Rose's curiosity often gets her into trouble, and sent to the attic.  However all the children look forward to the orange's brought by Joe Christmas morning.  Rose is so excited she gets up in the night to smell and admire the oranges.  She is seen, and consequently is denied an orange.  How the other girls respond changes Christmas for them all.
This movie is touching.  Christian Vuissa is part of the production team.
Tony and I both enjoyed this film  It is based on the book by Linda Bethers.

Movie review: **^Christmas Incorporated (2015)

This is Hallmark made for TV movie.  The premise of this movie is that of a corporate boss, William Young (Steve Lund), who has inherited a large company which includes a town toy store where his father had gotten his start.  Now it has become a drain on the company as a whole, and the owner must decide what to do with the toy factory.  It takes the advise of a newly hired assistant, Riley Vance (Shenae Grimes-Beech).  Together they inspect the factory, with a foreman explaining that their toys are old;  so they revamp them.  The mayor of the town (Ron Lea) plays the advocate role.  The eventual relationship between the two leads comes off rather messy.  Makes it so this movie is not very believable in the end. 

Musical Movie Review: ***^Cinderella (1997)

There is lots to love in this made for TV version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.  This was originally performed in 1957 in another made for television version.  The 1997 version was made for Wonderful WOrld of Disney.  This version features Brandy Norwood as Cinderella.  The prince is played by Paolo Montalban.  The king and queen are played by Victor Garber and Whoopi Goldberg.  Bernadette Peters takes the roll of the stepmother and the step sisters are played by Veanne Cox and Natalie Desselle Reid.  The foot man, Lionel, who announces the ball is played by Jason Alexander.  The fairy godmother is portrayed by Whitney Houston.
The musical features tremendous vocals.  The music from Richard Rodgers is wonderful.   And of course the book from Oscar Hammerstein is also superb.
But the thing that overshadows this version the use of mixed race of the families.  This is a story that lends itself to not seeing color, and the performances over power this aspect.  The show was presented on Wonderful World of Disney in 1997, when rolls for minorities in movies was much talked about.  In fact it is still talked about today.  It would be nice to arrive at a place where color of skin is not important.  It isn't in this movie.

Movie Review: **** Wonder (2017)

Wonder is the story of a 10 year-old child going to school for the first time.  His mother has been teaching him at home because of facial deformities.  And as is often the case, the other children at school have a hard time accepting him.  The unexpected twist in this movie is that the story is told from the view point of several different people, Wonder, his friend, his sister and his sister's friend.  They could have included a bit more view point from the parents as well.  This is a feel good movie.  It is uplifting.  However it does cover the theme of accepting others.  Wonder (Auggie) played by Jacob Tremblay, starts wearing a space helmet to keep his face covered.  However by the end of the movie he no longer needs the helmet.  Julia Roberts portrays the mother and Owen Wilson plays the father.  His sister is portrayed by Izabela Vidovic and her friend by Danielle Rose Russell.  There are a couple other children who become friends with Wonder.  They are played by Noah Jupe and Millie Davis.  With all the movies at there this Christmas season, this on may be the best.  It is at least the most touching.  It moved me.

Movie Review: ****Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Loved this.  There are so many plot twists that excite .  I don't want to give anything away, but you must see this.
I went late night opening day, and when an old character returned everyone would clap.  These of course include:
Carrie Fisher as Leia Organa.  Seeing her on screen made me cry knowing she has passed away.
Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, An old Luke, now the wise sage.
Anthony Daniels as C3PO,  there is some humorous play between Leia and the robot.
Jimmy Vee as R2D2, happy reunion with Skywalker.
A new actor Jonas Suotomo as Chewbacca.  There is cute play between Chewbacca and some little critters.
Retuning from "The Force Awakens" are
Daisy Ridley as Rey, lots of fun between she and Skywalker, and more fun between she and
Adam Driver as Kylo Ren.   His darkness grows.
John Boyega as Finn who meets a new girl, Kelly Marie Tran as Rosa Tico.
Other new characters include:
Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron, who has spunk but often makes the wrong decision.
Andy Serkis as Snoke, even more evil than Emperor Palpatine.
And Laura Dern as vice Admiral Holdo, who takes over after Leia goes down.
So in that, probably too many hints.  See this, it is a twist a minute.

However the director changed the character of Luke Skywalker too much which leaves a bad taste in your mouth.  This is the worse of this trilogy.  

Movie Review: ****^Hidden Figures (2016)

This is a fabulous movie which shows the plight of the African American women working for NASA.  The were involved at many levels, including being ready to use computers, and advanced engineering.  There is a particular series of scenes in which one African American woman, Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) who is working on advanced calculations, but restroom were segregated.  There are no African American restrooms in that area.  She had to walk across campus to use the restroom.  The other staff were upset at her long breaks, not realizing why she was gone for so long.  However, when the cause was discovered, her boss, Al Harrison (Kevin Costner) ended segregated restrooms.  It shows how at times, we can discriminate without realizing it.  Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer) had enough foresight to study computer languages, and to have her staff also trained.  This gave them a jump up when typewriters were replaced by computers.  Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae) fights discrimination in university classes, as she needs more education to become a NASA engineer, but the school is limited to Whites.  Her case goes to court and she prevails. 

Movie Review: ***^Forever Young (1992)

This is a very enjoyable movie, about a test pilot (Mel Gibson) who decides to be frozen when his girlfriend (Isabel Glasser) is hit by a car an in a coma.  He regrets that he never proposed marriage to her.  His friend (George Wendt) is a scientist working on a special project and needing a subject for cryogenics.  However, he is misplaced for over 50 years.  His friend died in a fire, saving the cryogenics machine.  They were both listed killed in the fire, and the machine misplaced in a warehouse.  Until some kids, playing around, open the capsule, and out comes a man.  He gets the jacket of one of the kids (Elijah Wood), and traces it to his house, where he meets the kids mother (Jamie Lee Curtis.)  The cryogenics does not stop rapid aging after someone is unthawed.  The test pilot is trying to find those people with whom he associated, and finally comes upon someone who might know something.  Finally after several days, things start to fall into place.  This is a love story where you get a second chance. 

Movie Review: ****^The Star (2017)

This movie takes some liberalities with the story but has enough of the story that I had tears when Jesus was born.  In this story the animals can talk to each other; but when they talk to the people all the people hear is animal noises.  This makes for some tense moments, and the donkey knows there are mean dogs and a bad man after Mary, but don't know how to let Mary and Joseph know other than to cause bad things to happen.  Steven Yuen voices the donkey, Keegan-Michael Key his bird friend, and Aidy Bryan the sheep friend they meet.  Mary and Joseph are portrayed by Gina Rodriguez and Zachary Levi.