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David McK (3600 KP) rated Mary Poppins Returns (2018) in Movies

Oct 27, 2019

It's arguable that Disney take a big risk in making a sequel to one of their most beloved movies (and the one that Walt Disney himself saw as their pinnacle), decades after the original, and with a different actor (Emily Blunt) taking on the role most associated with Julie Andrews.

And, while it's enjoyable enough, this doesn't really hold a candle to that original, despite Emily Blunt giving it her all (and, from what I remember, portraying a somewhat 'softer' Mary Poppins).

The structure is pretty similar to the first film, complete with a last-minute rush to the bank, with the film again focusing on the Banks family: the 2 children from the original now grown up, with worries and a family of their own providing the McGuffin that gets Mary Poppins to return.

Kudos

ClareR (5945 KP) rated The Night Country (The Hazel Wood #2) in Books

Dec 30, 2019

The Night Country (The Hazel Wood #2)

Melissa Albert | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)

7.0

(3 Ratings)

Book Rating

This is probably even darker than the first book. I really like reworked fairy tales, and I think the characters in this series are more like the characters that the Brothers Grimm had in mind before they were told to rewrite them less scary (I still want to get my hands on the originals - they sound deliciously dark, like this book).

This is a great continuation of the first novel. It looks at how Alice and the other Hinterlanders settle in to life in New York, and Finch’s continuing adventures in The Hinterland. I can’t say much more than this without giving the story away, but needless to say, if you enjoyed the first book, you’ll love this one!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for my copy to read and honestly review!

Kudos

David McK (3600 KP) rated Batman (1989) in Movies

Aug 3, 2019

Batman (1989)

1989 | Action

8.2

(146 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

"Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb..."

Oh, wait, wrong Batman!

Completely and utterly tonally different than the Adam West incarnation, this version has Michael Keaton - at the time, a controversial casting choice of an actor known for more comedic roles - taking on the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman in a very Gothic setting: all high rises, smoke and corruption.

With Commissioner Gordon only given a token role, and changing elements of the Batman mythos in giving Jack Nicholson's Joker a pre-Joker identity (and in having him responsible for the murder of Bruce's parents), this Batman also does not seem at all concerned with his famous no-killing rule (or is it a guideline?). It's also definitely a product of its time, complete with songs by Prince woven into the narrative!