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David McK (3508 KP) rated Soul (2020) in Movies
Dec 27, 2020
Pixar's latest (at the time of reviewing), released exclusively on Disney+.
I don't know whether it was always intended to be so, or because of the current worldwide Covid-19 pandemic (I lean towards the latter).
In any case, this is somewhat along the lines of 'Inside Out', although more metaphysical in nature, examining just what life is all about. It takes a good 40 minutes or so - I felt - to get going, and probably could have trimmed the ending down a bit.
I guess what I'm trying to say is there there is the kernel of a good idea and film here, but - for me - it just doesn't really cut it, with too much padding (IMO) to make it a really enjoyable movie. Definitely not up there with the likes of any of the 'Toy Story' films, or even with the aforementioned 'Inside Out' despite the similarities
Animation is top-notch, though.
I don't know whether it was always intended to be so, or because of the current worldwide Covid-19 pandemic (I lean towards the latter).
In any case, this is somewhat along the lines of 'Inside Out', although more metaphysical in nature, examining just what life is all about. It takes a good 40 minutes or so - I felt - to get going, and probably could have trimmed the ending down a bit.
I guess what I'm trying to say is there there is the kernel of a good idea and film here, but - for me - it just doesn't really cut it, with too much padding (IMO) to make it a really enjoyable movie. Definitely not up there with the likes of any of the 'Toy Story' films, or even with the aforementioned 'Inside Out' despite the similarities
Animation is top-notch, though.
Seobok (2021)
Movie
Seo Bok (Korean: 서복; Hanja: 徐福; RR: Seobok) is a 2021 South Korean sci-fi action film...
Sara Cox (1845 KP) rated Yoga | Down Dog in Apps
Apr 4, 2020 (Updated Apr 4, 2020)
Good for all levels (3 more)
Variety of instructors
Variety of music
Syncs with Google Fit
I started using Down Dog as a suggestion from my yoga instructor after the Covid-19 lock down. I absolutely love it! You can select what level you're at, what you want to focus on in regards to your body, how long you want your session to be and what style of yoga. I like the options of background music and that you can choose a voice to instruct you. The video is really good showing the different poses and you can select a level of description for the poses. My only critism is that although you can thumbs up or down certain tracks of music, you have to do this during the practice which is difficult if you are in a pose. You can view all the tracks played at the end but can't rate them, I was under the impression the point of rating them was so you didn't get msuic that distracted you or you didn't like again.
David McK (3508 KP) rated Onward (2020) in Movies
Nov 6, 2020
Late 2019, early 2020.
I rsaw a lot of ads in the cinema for this film. Then (in the UK) Covid-19 hit.
As a result, I'm not honestly sure whether this got a big screen release or not: I actually watched it via Disney+, not really knowing what to expect.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Set in a mystical realm where magic had all but died out (Unicorns as garbage rats? Genius!) due to the advent of technology, this follows two elf brothers who are able to partially bring their deceased dad briefly back to life, after the younger of the 2 opens his birthday present from said dad of a wizards staff. Only enough magic to 'bring back' his legs, so off they go on a quest for a power source to enable them to bring back the rest of his body.
What really follows is a story about familial bonding, that pulls in the heartstrings as well as made me laugh out loud on a few occasions!
I rsaw a lot of ads in the cinema for this film. Then (in the UK) Covid-19 hit.
As a result, I'm not honestly sure whether this got a big screen release or not: I actually watched it via Disney+, not really knowing what to expect.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Set in a mystical realm where magic had all but died out (Unicorns as garbage rats? Genius!) due to the advent of technology, this follows two elf brothers who are able to partially bring their deceased dad briefly back to life, after the younger of the 2 opens his birthday present from said dad of a wizards staff. Only enough magic to 'bring back' his legs, so off they go on a quest for a power source to enable them to bring back the rest of his body.
What really follows is a story about familial bonding, that pulls in the heartstrings as well as made me laugh out loud on a few occasions!
Working Stiffs - A Charity Anthology
Roberta Blablanski, Tanya Chris, K. Evan Coles, H.L. Day, Lyra Evans, Mel Gough, Crystel Greene, Eliott Griffen, Sadie Jay, Edie Montreux, Megs Pritchard, A.J. Sherwood and R.J. Sorrento
Book
Not all vampires are idly rich. Some of them have day jobs. Er, night jobs. In a world struggling...
MM Paranormal Romance Vampires Anthology Short Stories
A Plague Among Us (Mimi Goldman Chautauqua Mysteries #8)
8.0
Rate It
Book
When Al Martin, the editor of a satiric newspaper in Chautauqua, N.Y., reportedly dies of COVID-19,...
Mystery
New York: Give Me Your Best or Your Worst
Reed Farrel Coleman, Tom Straw, Elizabeth Crowens, Charles Salzberg, Randee Dawn, Barbara Krasnoff, Steven Van Patten and Triss Stein
Book
New York, NY – Writer and photographer, Elizabeth Crowens is one of 500 New York City-based...
Coffee Table Book Photography Short Stories New York
Ali A (82 KP) rated Hello (from Here) in Books
Sep 14, 2021
Trigger Warnings: Covid-19, death of a parent, AIDS, generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks,
Max and Jonah bump into each over at the grocery store right when the Covid-19 lockdown was beginning in California. Max's part-time job as a personal shopper begins to transform into a bit of a nightmare and Jonah's pre-existing anxiety disorder is becoming a daily struggle. Can the two come together even though they must stay apart? Hello (from Here) jumps into the first two months of the quarantine and the love lives and two teenagers trying to figure out this new world.
This wasn't my favorite book on the planet, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. I will also keep it on my shelves and possibly come back to it another time (when the Corona Virus isn't still running wild). Like most who have reviewed this book, I feel like it may have been too soon.
The main characters were okay, but not amazing, I did find them a little whiny towards the end... Olivia, Jonah's sister, was probably my favorite out of everybody and I'd kind of like to hear some more of her story! Also Arlo and his story! Kate and Jonah's "step-parent replacing late parent" trope was shown well in the novel. I thought the development of their relationship was well handled and realistic. I was happy with the end result for them.
I also thought the anxiety disorder representation was handled well in this novel too. As someone with anxiety who has had panic attacks (though not quite like Jonah's), I felt like one could still understand what he was going through, especially in his current situation.
I feel like this novel fell short - mostly by tackling too much all at once. I felt a little anticlimactic by the time I closed it. So many things were brought up: important issues and themes, but then were finished limply in the end. (view spoiler).
The cheating storyline was just - bleh. It wasn't needed and was more of a distraction. I also felt like it didn't make much sense for how the character had been acting throughout the whole storyline.
Overall, I feel like this was just too soon. I'm sure it will be good in a few years time though, when we weren't all still going through the same pandemic.
Max and Jonah bump into each over at the grocery store right when the Covid-19 lockdown was beginning in California. Max's part-time job as a personal shopper begins to transform into a bit of a nightmare and Jonah's pre-existing anxiety disorder is becoming a daily struggle. Can the two come together even though they must stay apart? Hello (from Here) jumps into the first two months of the quarantine and the love lives and two teenagers trying to figure out this new world.
This wasn't my favorite book on the planet, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. I will also keep it on my shelves and possibly come back to it another time (when the Corona Virus isn't still running wild). Like most who have reviewed this book, I feel like it may have been too soon.
The main characters were okay, but not amazing, I did find them a little whiny towards the end... Olivia, Jonah's sister, was probably my favorite out of everybody and I'd kind of like to hear some more of her story! Also Arlo and his story! Kate and Jonah's "step-parent replacing late parent" trope was shown well in the novel. I thought the development of their relationship was well handled and realistic. I was happy with the end result for them.
I also thought the anxiety disorder representation was handled well in this novel too. As someone with anxiety who has had panic attacks (though not quite like Jonah's), I felt like one could still understand what he was going through, especially in his current situation.
I feel like this novel fell short - mostly by tackling too much all at once. I felt a little anticlimactic by the time I closed it. So many things were brought up: important issues and themes, but then were finished limply in the end. (view spoiler).
The cheating storyline was just - bleh. It wasn't needed and was more of a distraction. I also felt like it didn't make much sense for how the character had been acting throughout the whole storyline.
Overall, I feel like this was just too soon. I'm sure it will be good in a few years time though, when we weren't all still going through the same pandemic.
ClareR (5824 KP) rated The Sleeper and the Spindle: Winner of the Cilip Kate Greenaway Medal 2016 in Books
Jul 8, 2020
I’ve been wanting to read this for quite some time, but for one reason or another, I haven’t. COVID-19 and lockdown gave me the ideal opportunity to borrow it from my library’s ebook selection. It’s a quick read for an adult and possibly some young people too, but it’s just the right length for the story.
I loved it - Sleeping Beauty with a twist. It definitely has the fairy story vibes, where the good people are good, and the bad are thoroughly bad. Some would say that’s a very one-dimensional way of looking at it, but isn’t that what fairy stories are all about? As for those who’s ah it’s too scary for young children, I would disagree. I would have loved this as a young child. Yes, it’s scary in places, but it’s a typical fairy story, in that good triumphs over evil. Actually, who am I kidding? I loved this as an adult!
And the art work is stunning. Chris Riddell’s drawings are always wonderful, and the drawings in this book are no exception. Beautiful drawings that complimented the story so well.
I loved it - Sleeping Beauty with a twist. It definitely has the fairy story vibes, where the good people are good, and the bad are thoroughly bad. Some would say that’s a very one-dimensional way of looking at it, but isn’t that what fairy stories are all about? As for those who’s ah it’s too scary for young children, I would disagree. I would have loved this as a young child. Yes, it’s scary in places, but it’s a typical fairy story, in that good triumphs over evil. Actually, who am I kidding? I loved this as an adult!
And the art work is stunning. Chris Riddell’s drawings are always wonderful, and the drawings in this book are no exception. Beautiful drawings that complimented the story so well.
ClareR (5824 KP) rated Back to Nature: How to love life - and save it. in Books
Jul 20, 2021
Back to Nature was written during the Covid-19 pandemic, and it illustrates how much many people relied on the natural world at a time when we were confined to our own living spaces during the first lockdown in the UK. Those with gardens discovered a space filled with nature, and if they didn’t they avidly watched the Self-Isolating Bird Club on social media every morning to discover tips on how to invite nature into their lives. Those without gardens were able to find little pockets of nature on their daily walks.
This book talks about how we can preserve nature, and how important it is to do so. It talks about how it’s not just up to the individual to put a stop to Climate Change, but it’s also the responsibility of big business and governments globally. It shows the mistakes that have been made, and how local groups are trying to do their bit to save nature.
Chris’ sections look at the big picture, and Megans look at more detailed aspects of nature - which are linked to the wider considerations.
It’s a really interesting, well-written and accessible book.
This book talks about how we can preserve nature, and how important it is to do so. It talks about how it’s not just up to the individual to put a stop to Climate Change, but it’s also the responsibility of big business and governments globally. It shows the mistakes that have been made, and how local groups are trying to do their bit to save nature.
Chris’ sections look at the big picture, and Megans look at more detailed aspects of nature - which are linked to the wider considerations.
It’s a really interesting, well-written and accessible book.