Artistic Book Review: Textile Folk Art

Testile Folk Art by Anne Kelly, Batsford, London, 2018.  Working with textiles seems like it might be fun for me.  There is a section in this book on the "Tree of Life" and if I were being artistic I would want to make different depictions of this tree.  In fact the "Tree of Life" permeates several different chapters.  There are many different medium presented.  This includes textile on boxes, collage, quilts, stuffed animals and stuffed pin cushions.  There are also different ethnic groups represented including Nordic and Asian Indian.

Marvel Comics: Captian Marvel

I came across two graphic novels at the library that help explain a bit more of the background of Captain Marvel.  These are "The Life of Captain Marvel" and Captain Marvel Prelude.  I really enjoyed the movie and was hungry for some more information and this two books wet my whistle.  One presents the mother and brother of Captain Marvel.  It is also fun to see the different artistic depictions. 

Marvel Universe

John Wayne Movie Review: ***The Lucky Texan (1934)

John Wayne as Jerry Mason
George "Gabby Hayes" as his "old timer" friend Jake Benson
Barbara Sheldon as Jake's granddaughter Betty

Mason and Benson are lucky in finding a gold mine.  However it is not all luck because there are others who would like their gold and would kill for it.  

John Wayne Movie Review: ***Comancheros (1961)

In this movie John Wayne portrays a disguised Texas Ranger Captain Jake Cutter who is in Mexico trying to put a stop to an outlaw gang of arm dealers.  It seems that they are had  by the daughter, Pilar, (Ina Belin) of the gang leader, but her love for Wayne's cohort Paul Regret (Stuart Whitman) gives them an opportunity.  Regret was first his prisoner but then his partner.  This is a pretty good action movie.  Always the mounted Texas Rangers are coming for a rescue, but mostly Cutter and Regret have to save themselves. 

In Theaters: ****^Spider-Man: Far From Home

The new Spider-Man movie doesn't fail to impress.  We have a new super hero/villain, Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal).  Tom Holland continues as Spider-Man.  Zendaya is MJ.  Other notable characters are Nick Fury (Samuel Jackson) and Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau).  I think Zendaya steals the show, and the romantic scenes between she and Spider-Man seem to steel the show.  But then we also have illusion and almost dream-like scenes that bit Spider-Man against himself, and against a train.  But the biggest struggle is keeping the Peter Tingle or the sixth sense. 
But I love the part where the hands of Peter Parker and MJ creep closer and closer together. 

Netflix Movie: ***^Murder Mystery (2019)

Murder Mystery (2019)  A couple on their fifteenth wedding anniversary (Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston) are drawn into a murder plot when they are invited aboard a yacht rather than going on their European tour in the tour bus.  From there, things turn worse, as the billionaire who owns the yacht is murdered.  And other murders follow.  The police are onto them as murderers.  Their only chance of escape is to find the actual murderer or murderers.  What is worse is the husband is a police sergeant not a detective as he says.  He keeps flunking the detective test.  This is a wild romp and funny in its way. 

In Theaters: ****Aladdin (2019)

****Aladdin (2019)  I think Will Smith does a great job as Genie.  Of course he is different than Robin Williams but very good.  Aladdin is portrayed by Mena Massoud and Jazmin by Naomi Scott.  Jazmin sings a new song, about not keeping quiet, which is very well done.  Of course we have the carpet scene and “A Whole New World” which is also very well done.   I had a good time at this movie.  The entire family went and I think all had a good time.  It follows the original plot very well.  Aladdin does prove himself a true prince in the end.

In Theaters: ****Men in Black International (2019)

****Men in Black International (2019)  this is a fun movie.  Agent M (Tessa Thompson) has been looking for MIB her entire life, since the memory of her parents was erased after an event.  When she finds them she is in for more than she bargains.  She convinces the head of recruitment, Agent O (Emma Thompson) to give her a chance.  Although in training, she latches onto Agent H (Chris Hemsworth).  Agent H is notable because he saved the universe a few years before with Agent High T (Liam Neeson), who is the director of the British office.  There is a weapon of unlimited potential.  Agent H,  Agent O and Pawny (Kumail Nanjiani), who has sworn allegiance to Agent O after his own queen had been killed, are sworn to guard the weapon.  Of course there are some evil aliens out to get the weapon for the Hoard, who want to conquer the universe.  I had a good time with this movie.  Lots of tricky devices, and lots of fun. 

***^Hatchi: A Dog’s tale (2009)

***^Hatchi: A Dog’s tale (2009)  This is based on a true Japanese story.  This is a very good dog story about a loyal dog.  A dog that is in the habit of meeting his master (Richard Gere) every day when he comes home on the train.  This habit carries on after his master dies from a heart attack.  Even to the point that he leaves the home of the his master's children, to return to the train station to continue his vigil. 

***^Missing Link (2019)

***^Missing Link Sir Lionel Frost (Hugh Jackman) must prove that he is not a failure by making a discovery and proving it to the world.  He decides to pursue a Big Foot.  And he actually finds a Big Foot (Zach Galifianakis) who he discovers want to find others of his kind.  This results in an across the world journey to meet the abominable snowmen.  Joining them on the journey is Adelina (Zoe Saldana).  Unfortunately after making the long journey, and hiking up the mountain, the attitude of the Snowmen is not pleasant.  Their Elder (Emma Thompson) makes it clear they do not want anything to do with a newcomer.  This is a good movie exploring the theme of friendship and success.  I enjoyed myself. 

****Teen Spirit (2018)

****Teen Spirit (2018)  This movie was fantastic and man Elle Fanning can really sing.  I had to watch the credits at the end to make sure someone else wasn’t providing the vocals, and sure enough Elle Fanning sang the songs.  Violet (Fanning) and her vocal coach (Zlatko Buric) go to the big city for a bigtime vocal competition after Violet was a surprise winner.  However when local talent searches approach Violet, her vocal coach becomes jealous and disappears for a time.  This is a musical type program you can really get into.

Netflix Movie: ***Bird In a Cage (2018)

*** Bird in a Cage  (2018 Netflix)  There is something out there that if you see it you will be compelled to commit suicide.  Your only hope is to make sure you don’t see whatever it is.  So you use cover all the windows, and beyond that you always wear a blindfold.  However, when other persons show up whose mission it is to make you see whatever it might be, then it is just a matter of time until everyone will be dead.  However there is some hope, a place you have contacted over the CB band radio.  However the journey is perilous.  A couple who did not make it, Tom (Trevante Rhodes) who for a time had made a partnership with Malorie (Sandra Bullock).  They have two children, one Malorie’s and the other of a friend who did not make it.  Douglas (John Malkovich) was the most wary of strangers.  But even he did not make it.  Tom dies as they are leaving, making it possible for Malorie to get to the river and into a boat, which they must navigate blind folded.  All goes well, until they were almost dumped by the current, but their food supply went overboard.  The must go to land to find supplies, and this is really tense.  Not only is there hazards, but the entity seems to know your friends and tries to call you and confuse you.    The thing is never just seen, just leaves that blow in the air, and the birds in a box that get really excited when the thing is close.  Never is a monster worse than the one you never see.  Great fun but too much swearing and violence.  Sheri and I watched this by ourselves when everyone was gone as we didn’t want everyone to see.  I love Sandra Bullock in just about any roll.

At Theaters: ***^ A Dog’s Journey

***^ A Dog’s Journey   In the case it is actually dogs with the same spirit.  The dog, Bailey (Josh Gad) belongs to Ethan (Dennis Quaid) and Hannah (Marg Helgenberger) is tasked to care for Ethan’s granddaughter when circumstances cause them to be separated.  In fact there are several versions of the dog, who keep being born in different dog bodies.  Some of them actually live with the granddaughter, CJ (Kathryn Prescott) and some have this as their goal but do not meet up for whatever reason.  One version the dog is trained in detecting cancer.  This is useful in another version as CJ’s friend Trent (Henry Lau) has undetected cancer.  The early intervention saves his life, and they become partners.  Finally CJ makes her way back to her grandparents (mother had lied, saying they took her money and kicked them out).  The reunion is doubly confirmed as CJ’s dog knows the same trick the original dog use to do.  Very touching.  Lots of jumping from one dog to another kept together by the same voice.