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Marcel Dzama recommended My Life As A Dog (1985) in Movies (curated)
Animal Hospital & Animal Doctor
Games and Education
App
Dr. Cem is talk of the town for treating animal related problems. He owns Animal Hospital where he...
Pan
Book
One of Knut Hamsun's most famous works, "Pan" is the story of Lieutenant Thomas Glahn, an...
The Sprightly Carrot's Dream
9.0
Rate It
Book
Sprightly the carrot has the perfect life… for a normal carrot. However, Sprightly is...
Gardening Bulling Flowers Carrots Friendship Kindness
Corner Gas
7.0
Rate It
TV Show
Deriving its name from the roadside gas station in the fictional town of Dog River, Saskatchewan,...
Canada Humor Sitcom
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Toto's Tale in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Everyone knows the story of The Wizard of Oz... but since Toto couldn't talk, he never got his chance to tell the story. Now Toto tells what really happened in Oz after the windstorm that changed magical history. Toto becomes the main character in this story, and his mission is to save his pet girl and get her back to Kansas.
Toto's Tale was absolutely adorable. I fell in love with Toto right away. He has a wonderful personality and is very intelligent. Hays and Weidman did a very good job capturing the interior monologue of a dog who could not talk until this point. He was funny and a little quirky, and thought himself a lot bigger than he really was. But it only added to his charm.
Hilariously, Toto has a much better language than humans, and some of their words don't translate to dog-talk, so some of the human's dialogue is replaced with funny words that rhyme, or just the word "something." Along the way, they meet a straw man who says he needs some "trains," a Metal Man who needs a "cart," and a Big Cat who needs some "Porridge". They swallow the jello brick road to find the Lizard who will send them home.
The illustrations were adorable too. They were basic pen and ink drawings, one ever few chapters, displaying a lot of character. The supporting characters in the story like Happy the evil-turned-good Wolf, the bugs that Toto talks to, the Not-really-a-wizard, and the flying monkeys were quickly established and fun to read. As mentioned earlier, some of the dialogue of humans doesn't' translate to dog-talk, and the "something something"s got a little annoying after a while, but all in all I greatly enjoyed reading Toto's tale.
I loved Toto's tale and am going to get my little brother to read it when I go home for Christmas. It was a fast fun read.
Recommended for ages 6-14, and fun-loving teens and adults as well! A great Christmas gift for dog-lovers or Oz-lovers.
Review by Haley Mathiot, copyright 2010. Do not copy without permission. See policy, disclosure, and source at my blog (http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com) and full review here: (http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com/2010/12/review-and-tour-toto-tale.html)
Toto's Tale was absolutely adorable. I fell in love with Toto right away. He has a wonderful personality and is very intelligent. Hays and Weidman did a very good job capturing the interior monologue of a dog who could not talk until this point. He was funny and a little quirky, and thought himself a lot bigger than he really was. But it only added to his charm.
Hilariously, Toto has a much better language than humans, and some of their words don't translate to dog-talk, so some of the human's dialogue is replaced with funny words that rhyme, or just the word "something." Along the way, they meet a straw man who says he needs some "trains," a Metal Man who needs a "cart," and a Big Cat who needs some "Porridge". They swallow the jello brick road to find the Lizard who will send them home.
The illustrations were adorable too. They were basic pen and ink drawings, one ever few chapters, displaying a lot of character. The supporting characters in the story like Happy the evil-turned-good Wolf, the bugs that Toto talks to, the Not-really-a-wizard, and the flying monkeys were quickly established and fun to read. As mentioned earlier, some of the dialogue of humans doesn't' translate to dog-talk, and the "something something"s got a little annoying after a while, but all in all I greatly enjoyed reading Toto's tale.
I loved Toto's tale and am going to get my little brother to read it when I go home for Christmas. It was a fast fun read.
Recommended for ages 6-14, and fun-loving teens and adults as well! A great Christmas gift for dog-lovers or Oz-lovers.
Review by Haley Mathiot, copyright 2010. Do not copy without permission. See policy, disclosure, and source at my blog (http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com) and full review here: (http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com/2010/12/review-and-tour-toto-tale.html)
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Grinch (2018) in Movies
Jul 2, 2019
This iteration of the Dr. Seuss holiday classic is from Universal Studios and Illumination (the creators that brought you “Despicable Me” and “Minions”). You may recognize the voices of Benedict Cumberbatch (The Grinch), Rashida Jones (Donna Who, Cindy-Lou Who’s mother), Kenan Thompson (Mr. Bricklebaum The Grinch’s closest, by distance, neighbor), Pharrell Williams (The Narrator) and Angela Landsbury (The Mayor).
The storyline follows the original story loosely, focusing on The Grinch and Cindy-Lou Who. We are given a look at how The Grinch came to hate Christmas. The back story credibly explains why he despises the holiday and all that goes with it. We do get to see his relationship with his loyal dog Max. The Grinch is portrayed as a grump, but he is endearing to his dog.
Cindy-Lou Who has a plan to execute in order to accomplish her Christmas wish. We learn that her wish is for her mom and she feels it important to get her message to Santa in time for Christmas day. With her best friend Axl and the rest of her gang, they hatch a plan for Cindy to catch Santa and give him the message. Meanwhile, The Grinch has his own Christmas plans to put together.
The movie has the basic framework of the Seuss holiday tale, the animated feature gives the characters more of a personality than the original. We are endeared to Cindy-Lou Who and her friends that support her dreams as well as seeing The Grinch showing that he loves his dog, the loyal companion and helper. He is not all bad and is redeemable.
“The Grinch” is a cute, charming family film that brings the audience into the Holiday Season. It is a movie that the little ones can appreciate and the adults can enjoy as well. This is a good, kid friendly, animated feature.
The storyline follows the original story loosely, focusing on The Grinch and Cindy-Lou Who. We are given a look at how The Grinch came to hate Christmas. The back story credibly explains why he despises the holiday and all that goes with it. We do get to see his relationship with his loyal dog Max. The Grinch is portrayed as a grump, but he is endearing to his dog.
Cindy-Lou Who has a plan to execute in order to accomplish her Christmas wish. We learn that her wish is for her mom and she feels it important to get her message to Santa in time for Christmas day. With her best friend Axl and the rest of her gang, they hatch a plan for Cindy to catch Santa and give him the message. Meanwhile, The Grinch has his own Christmas plans to put together.
The movie has the basic framework of the Seuss holiday tale, the animated feature gives the characters more of a personality than the original. We are endeared to Cindy-Lou Who and her friends that support her dreams as well as seeing The Grinch showing that he loves his dog, the loyal companion and helper. He is not all bad and is redeemable.
“The Grinch” is a cute, charming family film that brings the audience into the Holiday Season. It is a movie that the little ones can appreciate and the adults can enjoy as well. This is a good, kid friendly, animated feature.
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated A Dog's Way Home (2019) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
There's a Dog...She's Finding Her Way Home
Just like the title indicates, a dog tries to find her way home after being separated 400 miles apart.
Acting: 4
Beginning: 8
I wasn’t completely sold after watching the beginning of A Dog’s Way Home, but it was at least a solid enough ten minutes to keep me interested. You quickly learn what’s happening, who to hate, and who to root for. It also tries to set expectations for just how cheesy and kiddy it’s going to be.
Characters: 3
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 7
The pup star of the show Bella does go on quite a bit of an adventure that produces some interesting bouts of conflict. Bella is on her own and has to do what she needs to do to survive, including finding food and staying warm. Even when she does manage to get to a safe place, there’s always the question of how she’s going to get back to her owner. Some of the occurrences are a little on the farfetched side, but I’ve seen worse.
Entertainment Value: 5
Memorability: 4
Pace: 10
Plot: 5
Resolution: 9
Even if you don’t like the movie as a whole, you can’t help but appreciate the ending. It’s full of cheese and sap, but I can be a sucker for those things even when I see them coming a mile away. I mean, come on, you really think a movie that’s titled A Dog’s Way Home won’t see the dog actually make it home? Sorry, SPOILER ALERT!
Overall: 65
My biggest issue with this movie is the gimmicky voiceover for Bella. It’s been done so many times before and it’s totally distracting and unnecessary. You take out the voiceover and the movie at least becomes bearable. As it stands, I can’t recommend it.
Acting: 4
Beginning: 8
I wasn’t completely sold after watching the beginning of A Dog’s Way Home, but it was at least a solid enough ten minutes to keep me interested. You quickly learn what’s happening, who to hate, and who to root for. It also tries to set expectations for just how cheesy and kiddy it’s going to be.
Characters: 3
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 7
The pup star of the show Bella does go on quite a bit of an adventure that produces some interesting bouts of conflict. Bella is on her own and has to do what she needs to do to survive, including finding food and staying warm. Even when she does manage to get to a safe place, there’s always the question of how she’s going to get back to her owner. Some of the occurrences are a little on the farfetched side, but I’ve seen worse.
Entertainment Value: 5
Memorability: 4
Pace: 10
Plot: 5
Resolution: 9
Even if you don’t like the movie as a whole, you can’t help but appreciate the ending. It’s full of cheese and sap, but I can be a sucker for those things even when I see them coming a mile away. I mean, come on, you really think a movie that’s titled A Dog’s Way Home won’t see the dog actually make it home? Sorry, SPOILER ALERT!
Overall: 65
My biggest issue with this movie is the gimmicky voiceover for Bella. It’s been done so many times before and it’s totally distracting and unnecessary. You take out the voiceover and the movie at least becomes bearable. As it stands, I can’t recommend it.
Dog Days is a moving, and at times very funny, book about three people: George, Dan and Lizzie. It is NOT a book about dogs - which is what I thought it would be about to some extent - but the main characters do all have dogs. And they are dogs with a purpose. All three of the main characters are going through difficult times in their lives, and their dogs are the ones who give them love, support and a reason to keep going.
George, Dan and Lizzie are all vulnerable characters: whilst Dan and Lizzie seem to suffer in silence, George is happy to let the world know how angry he is. The comedy element of the novel comes from George, but you can see the grief of the sudden loss of his wife behind his bluster and foul language.
Dan is a counsellor with OCD, which he keeps largely hidden. The only person he seems to socialise with is his cousin, Luke, who he goes running and dog walking with. And that’s his life: work, Luke, Fitz (his dog). Dan has a secret, and I think to begin with, it’s a secret even from himself.
Lizzie is another complex character. There’s a lot going on with her: she’s in a women’s refuge with her young son and won’t talk about what happened to her. She seems to be punishing herself about a mistake she believes she has made. And it’s a bit of an “Oh wow!!” moment when that reveal comes along.
This book had me laughing out loud and having a bit of a weep in equal measure. It’s an emotional book. I really, really enjoyed it, and would definitely recommend it.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this.
George, Dan and Lizzie are all vulnerable characters: whilst Dan and Lizzie seem to suffer in silence, George is happy to let the world know how angry he is. The comedy element of the novel comes from George, but you can see the grief of the sudden loss of his wife behind his bluster and foul language.
Dan is a counsellor with OCD, which he keeps largely hidden. The only person he seems to socialise with is his cousin, Luke, who he goes running and dog walking with. And that’s his life: work, Luke, Fitz (his dog). Dan has a secret, and I think to begin with, it’s a secret even from himself.
Lizzie is another complex character. There’s a lot going on with her: she’s in a women’s refuge with her young son and won’t talk about what happened to her. She seems to be punishing herself about a mistake she believes she has made. And it’s a bit of an “Oh wow!!” moment when that reveal comes along.
This book had me laughing out loud and having a bit of a weep in equal measure. It’s an emotional book. I really, really enjoyed it, and would definitely recommend it.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Isle of Dogs (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
When, by executive decree, all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to a vast garbage-dump called Trash Island, 12-year-old Atari sets off alone in a miniature Junior-Turbo Prop and flies across the river in search of his bodyguard-dog, Spots. There, with the assistance of a pack of newly-found mongrel friends, he begins an epic journey that will decide the fate and future of the entire Prefecture.
Before this even hit our screens I was worried I was going to be bored of it because I'd seen the trailer so much. Thankfully that wasn't the case.
It was a beautifully crafted film, and refreshingly different. I loved that it was from the dog's point of view, kind of a reverse Lassie. All the individual dogs and their quirks are very entertaining. And those dumb little moments they have that you'll identify with if you've ever owned a dog.
When Chief and Atari as separated from the rest of the pack on Trash Island I really like how the master/pet relationship is reversed when Atari see's the ride. The amount of times I had been in Chief's position... "Don't do it." *shifty look and edges closer* "Don't" *edges further*
My only wish for this film would be that there was more dog, less person. But despite that it was amusing, and very stylish.
As films go this month there were a few that were hit with "controversy" of some description, and Isle Of Dogs was no exception with cried of cultural misappropriation. I can't say that this is going to be something I can ever say I'd be on the receiving end of, but any rational person would not take a film as an accurate portrayal of a culture and its people.
Before this even hit our screens I was worried I was going to be bored of it because I'd seen the trailer so much. Thankfully that wasn't the case.
It was a beautifully crafted film, and refreshingly different. I loved that it was from the dog's point of view, kind of a reverse Lassie. All the individual dogs and their quirks are very entertaining. And those dumb little moments they have that you'll identify with if you've ever owned a dog.
When Chief and Atari as separated from the rest of the pack on Trash Island I really like how the master/pet relationship is reversed when Atari see's the ride. The amount of times I had been in Chief's position... "Don't do it." *shifty look and edges closer* "Don't" *edges further*
My only wish for this film would be that there was more dog, less person. But despite that it was amusing, and very stylish.
As films go this month there were a few that were hit with "controversy" of some description, and Isle Of Dogs was no exception with cried of cultural misappropriation. I can't say that this is going to be something I can ever say I'd be on the receiving end of, but any rational person would not take a film as an accurate portrayal of a culture and its people.