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Rev Run recommended The Wizard of Oz (1939) in Movies (curated)

 
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
1939 | Fantasy, Musical

"Another favorite movie of mine is The Wizard of Oz. It’s just a beautiful movie all the way around. It would get a little dark and scary for me as a kid when those flying monkeys came out. Hoo-Hoo! Yeah, the flying monkeys kind of threw me off. I’d start watching the movie at three o’clock, by five o’clock the movie’s about to end, and I’m scared and dinner’s ready — I’m giving you too much info. When Dorothy first lands and the house falls on the shoes and the feet curl up, and then she goes walking and finds all these different characters — all of that was beautiful — gorgeous. Matter of fact, it was straight-up genius and it hasn’t been matched… It was too incredible. Who ever penned that was genius. And the director was genius. And the Lion was genius. And the Tin Man was genius — everything about it. I love all the characters but Dorothy was the best character. She was everything. She was a great singer. She was a great actress. She was kind. She wanted to take everybody with her."

Source
  
Wake Up With You - Single by Pugglefox
Wake Up With You - Single by Pugglefox
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Pugglefox is a trio of funkin’ jazz punks from Pittsburgh, PA. Not too long ago, they released a groovy indie-rock tune, entitled, “Wake Up With You”.

“I love the days when I wake up with you. Nowhere to be, and nothing to do. Wake up and show me the sun in your eyes. Oh, what a beautiful surprise. Come take a break, you’ve been working hard. I read the face on my birthday card. Kiss me in pink sheets and pain floats away. I’ll buy you flowers today. Let’s go, woo!” – lyrics

‘Wake Up With You’ tells an interesting tale of a young guy who cherishes the sensual moments shared with his significant other.

The likable tune contains a relatable storyline, pleasing vocals, and vibey instrumentation flavored with indie-rock and alternatives elements.

“‘Wake Up With You’ is about the sacred moments shared with a lover in the early mornings when all other life commitments sink away. A feeling that gets harder and harder to achieve in the fast-paced, modern world.” – Pugglefox

Pugglefox consists of Evan Isaac (keys, guitar, vocals, synth, percussion), Jordan Kaye (bass, background vocals), and Mike Mills (drums, congas).
  
Farm to Fabre
Farm to Fabre
Dahlia Donovan | 2022 | Contemporary, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A warm and gentle love story
FARM TO FABRE is a gentle love story between two asexual people during a time when the world was in crisis. Andie and Doc had a moment under the apple trees before Doc fled. Andie carried on as usual as Doc travelled the world, trying to understand what happened and find his missing words.

I loved the pacing of this story. It continually moves you forward, without the frantic scenes that sometimes happen. Andie is a wonderful character who doesn't hold grudges, accepts people for who they are, and tries to make the best of any situation. This is completely character-driven, with Andie, Doc, and Rupert being the main ones we interact with. The other characters are seen through zoom, email, or mentioned in passing.

A brilliant standalone story that mentions covid but doesn't allow it to take centre stage. Absolutely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
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David McK (3562 KP) rated Eruption in Books

Dec 1, 2024  
Eruption
Eruption
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
First, the obvious question: if this novel was only released in 2024, and Michael Crichton died in 2008ish, how can he possibly be the author?

The answer is he left notes for a project he had been working on, which his wife held in trust until she could find another author to take forward the story (enter, James Patterson).

While I've only read a few Patterson novels before, I have read more of Crichton works (Jurassic Park , The Lost World, Sphere, Timeline, Congo, Next, Micro, Eaters of the Dead, Prey and Pirate Latitudes all come to mind).

And, unfortunately, I have to say I was a little bit disappointed in this one.

I don't know why: maybe because I didn't really find any of the characters all that fleshed out, the set-up didn't grab me nor did the exotic location (Hawaii) but, for me, this was just one of the weaker entries in the afore-mentioned list of Crichton novels I've read: definitely not up there with the pinnacle of Jurassic Park or Prey; maybe more in line with (IMO) the weaker Pirate Latitudes or Next.

Your mileage, of course, may vary.
  
When the Skies Rained Freedom
When the Skies Rained Freedom
Annette Oppenlander | 2023 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
WHEN THE SKIES RAINED FREEDOM is another amazing story, based on real-life accounts, that tells the story too often unheard, that of the people just trying to survive.

Lotte is one of millions of Berliners trying to live in a city that has quite literally been torn apart. The conditions they live in are horrible, but they do it. They make the best of what little they have, even when things take a turn for the worse.

It wasn't hard to imagine any of it due to the high calibre of the writing. It didn't have to be described in minute detail for the message to get across - I'm thinking of what happened to Lotte's mother here. I was hoping for a happy ending for Lotte, but I am also aware that so many didn't get one.

I love this author's work. It is hard reading at times but worth every moment. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 7, 2024
  
Her Guardian Hero (Hot as Sin #2)
Her Guardian Hero (Hot as Sin #2)
Kitty O'Bliss | 2025 | Contemporary, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
HER GUARDIAN HERO is a short story in the Hot as Sin series, featuring Carlos as the overprotective firefighter/paramedic and Maya as the object of his fascination. On Goodreads, it is described as an OTT Instalove Fire Fighter Quick Read and that is exactly what it is. It is only 43-odd pages, so don't expect a full backstory for the characters. Instead, you get two snippets in time - the main part and then the epilogue that also leads onto the next story.

Carlos has lost someone to asthma before and he is determined to not let that happen to Maya. As for her, she is determined not to be seen as weak. The sparks fly off the page between these two, leading to a spicy scene that might just take your breath away!

A great short read, perfect for that steamy coffee break, and definitely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 14, 2025
  
Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
2019 | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Time for more fun in Jumanji? You didn't even need to show me a trailer, I was in.

Life has moved on for everyone since they escaped Jumanji, but Spencer isn't having the same great life that the others are. When he doesn't turn up to their mini-reunion, Martha, Bethany and Fridge head over to his house to check on him. It doesn't seem like he's in but Grandpa Eddie invites them in, nothing seems untoward, that is until they hear the drums that lead them to the basement and the reconstructed remains of the destroyed games console.

I enjoyed the twist of these tales. We went from board game to video game and successfully gave the whole thing a modern update and as the title suggests we go to the next level of the game to freshen up the similar storyline to the last instalment. It felt like a really good way to progress the series but going forward it may cause some issues which I'll mention more later.

This is firmly in the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" camp, Welcome To The Jungle was great fun and so hopes were high for this, it didn't disappoint. Our in-game character actors get to flex their muscles in new ways and it managed to keet the body-swapping element entertaining without feeling like we'd already "been there, done that".

The new characters had me a little worried, DeVito and Glover are great but I wasn't sure how they would translate into Johnson and Hart, and I find Awkwakina to be very Marmite, so when I saw her in a clip I was on the fence. All was well though. Johnson and Hart interacted just right as Eddie and Milo and Awkwafina made a great job of her switched up role. Jack Black brought me the most joy though as he got to take on Fridge's persona.

Jumanji: The Next Level has some fun little touches here and there but my favourite has to be the Bond girl exit, you'll know it when you see it but I don't want to spoil it for you if you haven't seen the film. So much of this film was entertaining and even when I wasn't laughing I was smiling.

The only real drawback was that I worked out fairly early on what was going to happen, it didn't take away from the film though and I thought it ended up giving us an excellent storyline to play out. And damn it if I didn't cry.

Everything comes together really well, the effects were never overly obvious, the sets and costumes were great, and it all gives you a solid, fun film. It's here for entertainment and it delivers.

Where does it go from here? We're left with a solid lay up for a third (fourth depending on how you look at it) film. On the one hand I like what that set up is doing, but on the other, it could be leading us to a dead end. I don't know what the plans were for these films as a series but I don't think that the quality could persist for much longer. Hopefully we won't have to see it overplayed.

I'm hoping to get a rewatch of this in at the weekend, having not already done so, I would say I didn't like it as much as the first outing... but it was still a great adventure.

Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2020/01/jumanji-next-level-movie-review.html
  
Magic: The Gathering
Magic: The Gathering
1993 | Card Game, Collectible Components, Fantasy, Fighting
Many Groups Across the UK (2 more)
Quick to Play
Great to play anywhere
Not the easiest to learn (1 more)
Not a Cheap Hobby
A Game That After Years Still Isn't Tapped.
First thing's First. Some advice one of my closest friends gave me when I started.


'Buy a basic deck, play it, once you see the flaws THEN upgrade it. Don't buy cards and try to make a new deck if you haven't played.'

This is great advice for this hobby. Me being me. I didn't follow it, and I have regretted it.

BUT, on with the review.

So firstly, the artwork.
The artwork is insanely good, and all cards are different. The quality is fantastic and the amount of detail they put into each card is incredible. I now collect cards just for the artwork.

Secondly, Gameplay.
There are about 30 different variations of colour combinations, meaning you can make multiple decks and play each of them hundreds of ways. You can kill players by making them run out of cards or by bringing their health down to zero. Each deck built will work differently.

I personally play this casually, meaning I can use any card from any version, this means you don't need to keep checking the date on your cards. (Plus it allows you to screw over your friends much more).

All in All, I love this game, and it allows you to play games anywhere. I tend to carry a deck everywhere I go. This is a great way to pass time while waiting for a train or food.

TL;DR
-Great Fun
-Not Cheap to Play
-Quick games (or can take a few hours)
  
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Parfs (178 KP) Jun 3, 2019

Have never considered Magic the card game, always looked but never made that leap. I have been eyeballing the Magic Arena games as well but the reviews I have seen have not been kind to it, so again have held off. Might have to look a little more at the card side of things after those, thanks

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BadgerMuffin (48 KP) Jun 3, 2019

No worries! Hope you enjoy it!

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Merissa (12911 KP) rated Her Druid Fantasy (The Amber Druid Series #2) in Books

Mar 31, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)  
Her Druid Fantasy (The Amber Druid Series #2)
Her Druid Fantasy (The Amber Druid Series #2)
Trish F. Leger | 2014 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
If you haven't read any of the Amber Druid series yet then you are sure as heck missing out. These books take you on a sensual and romantic journey, peppered with arguments, 'real' life and passion.

This particular book tells the story of Ramsey and Vivienne. You know that they are just perfect for each other but with their own stubbornness and outside circumstances get in the way? I won't say for sure but I will say that I was gripped by their story, in turn, I was sad, happy, and concerned - you name it, I think the emotion will be in this book.

I love how the druids can tell if another one of them is nearby, even without seeing them. And I also loved how they knew that something was going to happen even before Vivi's symptoms became known. It almost reminded me of the Jedi Knights - "there's a disturbance in the Force!"

This series just keeps getting better and better. We greet old friends and get to know new ones. Personally, I love the time spent on drawing away each layer of the characters so that you get a deeper, more intimate knowledge of them. I know Brenan's book is out next which should be good but I really can't wait for Kale's story! He intrigues me ;)

Highly recommended for all Paranormal fans out there.
 
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
 
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 25, 2016