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David McK (3233 KP) rated The Jungle Book (2016) in Movies

Jun 30, 2019 (Updated Jul 18, 2020)  
The Jungle Book (2016)
The Jungle Book (2016)
2016 | Action, Family
Pseudo Live action remake (or should that be re-telling?) of the 1967 Jazz-tastic Disney original, with a star studded voice cast that includes Bill Murray (as Baloo), Ben Kingsley (Bagheera), Idris Elba (Shere Khan), Scarlett Johansson (Ka) and Christoper Walken (King Louis).

It's rather weird, however, seeing/hearing these voices come out the impressive-CGI'd creatures: for me, a disassociation that the film never really gets over.

But, yes, the "Bear Necessities" and "I want to be like you" both do get a reprise in this movie, but neither version can hold a candle to the original.
  
Louis Theroux: America’s Most Dangerous Pets
Louis Theroux: America’s Most Dangerous Pets
2011 | Documentary
8
8.5 (2 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
Interesting, if not a tad frustrating
I'll start off by saying I love Louis Theroux and his documentaries. I've yet to see a bad one and this is no exception, even if the subject matter is very frustrating.

I tried to watch the Tiger King series on Netflix and had to turn it off as the animal welfare side made me so angry! However I had to watch this to see how Louis tackled the issue. On the whole, as with all Louis docs, this is a rather stark and honest (yet brief) portrayal of these people with dangerous wild animals as pets. He does his usual mild mannered Englishman act to gain their trust and then throws out the pressing awkward questions we all want answers to. This in no way glamorise or play up these people like the Netflix doc seemed to do. I will admit that after having seen parts of the Netflix doc, I don't believe that Louis goes far enough. He could've pushed the questions and animal welfare issues a lot more and I think he really should've done.

Over here there are many people who criticise our zoos due to animal welfare, but i can really appreciate the conservation efforts of local zoos now especially when you compare them with the absolute craziness that goes on in the States. I mean no offence to any American friends, but only in the USA can people get away with owning wild animals like this as pets. It's disgraceful, and I wish this documentary had gone further to push these issues.
  
The Queens Lady
The Queens Lady
Joanna Hickson | 2022 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Queens Lady is the second in the Queens of the Tower series, and picks up the Joan Vaux story where it left off in the last book. She’s now Lady Joan Guildford, and is Lady in Waiting to Queen Elizabeth, the wife of Henry VII. It’s a privileged position and means that Joan is at Court when Prince Arthur dies and Prince Henry is named as heir. Joan acts as something of a go between with the King and Queen, but King Henry is a serious, dour man - and this isn’t improved when the Queen dies shortly after her son.

Joan no longer has a place at court, and her husband falls out of favour when his enemies gain considerable influence with the King.

It was really interesting to learn about the inner workings of the English court and the precarious line that courtiers had to tread. Joan also gave some insight into some significant historical events: the Field of the Cloth of Gold in France, Princess Margaret’s marriage to King James, the arrival of Catherine of Aragon, and accompanying Princess Mary to Paris when she marries King Louis.

I’m an absolute sucker for historical fiction, and I loved the details and the very human, realistic style this book was written in. And I really liked Joan.

The ravens are a constant - after all, Joan is the Lady of the Ravens. Bu they’re not as central to the storyline this time.

I don’t know whether this will just be a duology, or if there’s more to come, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Highly recommended.