In Theaters: ***^Shazam

Her is a teenager turn superhero.  This movie also takes at crack at the importance of family, even if that family is a foster home.  It is only in family, that Shazam fulfills his true potential.  We have an evil villain who is pretty good in being the champion of the seven sins.  He turned out to be a pretty bad dude.  Asher Angel plays Billy as a youth, and Zachary Levi plays him as the superhero Shazam.  Mark Strong portrays the evil Dr. Sivana.
This is not the usual DC comic fair.  This movie is lighter and funnier than a traditional DC comic.  SUperman however does make a cameo towards the end of the movie.

In Theaters: ***^How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

How to Train Your Dragon:   This movie concludes the three part series.  In this movie the goal is to find a place where the dragons can live in peace without humans chasing them and trying to enslave them.  In the process Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) becomes more king like, and his girlfriend, Astrid (America Ferrera)  at the same time becomes more queen like. 

Book Review: Beyonders: Seed of Rebellion

Book Review: Beyonders: Seeds of Rebellion by Brandon Mull, Aladdin, New York, 2012.

In the first book, we learned that the “word” to overcome the emperor is actually a ruse, and is the word destroy a different wizard.  So now the efforts of our heroes turns to receiving a prophesy to explore their chances for success if they attack the emperor out right.  They are slim indeed, but the ability to recruit people to stand with him, depends on the word of a famous prophetess who lives in the North.  So they travel: Galloran the King, his best men Nedwin, who is use to torture and pain, but finally got away from the dungeons of Maldor, the emperor.  Rachel, who is becoming adept at Edomic, or the magical arts, and Jason who has returned with the help of the band member, Tark.  Ferrin the displacer (all displacers are under control of the emperor) who has gained enough trust to be part of the company by giving a piece of his neck to Galloran with a jugular vein.  Aram is giant by night and dwarf by day is recruited by Jason as a friend of Tark’s to be part of the quest.  Corinne is the daughter of Galloran, who has lived a sheltered life inside a tree.  There are also several from the Amar Kabal including Jasher and his wife, Farfalee and her brother, Drake.  This group of heroes have a long ways to travel and many hazards to confront to make it to receive the prophesy.  And when they receive the prophecy, it costs the life of the prophetess, and now they must put their faith in these words given, as there are specific assignments for them all, and each must play a role in the success of their attack on Emperor Maldor.

Following this group is very entertaining and exciting.  The obstacles and solutions are all unique.  Rachel uses that famous word to destroy a misshapen wizard who is guarding a large cache of orantium, an explosive substance.  Are group of heroes have some things going for them, and perhaps the prophesy will give them some chance. 

Book Review: The Castle of Llyr

The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander, A Dell Yearling Book, New York, 1966.
This is the third of the five books which include The Black Cauldron.  In this book, Taran has some competition in winning the love of Eilonwy.  This is in the person of Prince Rhun, whose parents are set to tutor the princess, and they hope their son and Eilonwy marry.  Eilonwy is leaving Caer Dallben to be trained in the ways of princesses.  Taran accompanies her to the island realm of Mona, which is close to the original home of Princess Eilonwy's people.
However, shortly after arriving a plot is made known to them to harm the princess. What is worse, there is a traitor in the castle.  Too late do Taran, and Prince Don (who has been there in disguise) react, and the princess is kidnapped.  The book then becomes one of rescuing the princess.  On their journey they meet a giant cat, who would have done them in but the cat likes the harp playing of the bard, Fflewunder.  They also meet the giant, who also almost does them in in trying to get out of a cave where he has trapped himself growing too large.  After their escape they travel to the island, Llyr, once inhabited by Eilowny's people, where they confront an old nemesis Achren.  She is hoping to use Eilonwy, control her and restore her powers. 
Somethings are not meant to be controlled however. 
Again I enjoyed this book.  I like the characters, and now we have a love triangle, Taran, Eilonwy and Prince Rhun.

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: *****Enchanted

"Enchanted" is a great movie.  They do the theme of a Disney Princess in New York so well.  The song "How does she Know" keeps everyone bouncing and is a favorite.  This was a charming take on what happens when fairy characters land in New York.  It also makes fun in its way of fairy love stories as compared to our world.  Of course vice versa is also appropriate as our love stories don't make sense to those from a fairy world.
In this story the wicked mother, witch, sends the true love of her son the Prince, to New York.  Amy Adams plays Giselle and this movie introduces Amy Adams to the world.  She does such a great job as the naive, innocent princess you can't help but fall in love with this movie.  And then you have the evil witch and her cohort chasing her around trying to get her to eat an apple.  It is too fun.

Movie Review: ****Red Riding Hood

 **** "Red Riding Hood is a movie of scenes, with the forest, and the red cape against the white snow.  It is beautiful.  The artistic work with the red against the snow is also very eerie. I enjoyed this ride.  Amanda Seyfried play Red Riding Hood.  The leading characters, and their relationships is very nice.  The intrigue of figuring out who is the werewolf is very well done.   I recommend this movie, and it is one with the scenery that would be better seen in the movie theater.  Also the wolf hunters play a very important part.  However, it is not them who find the were

wolf in the end