Search

Search only in certain items:

This is the third and final book I was given for Christmas, another collection of classic crime stories. It's similar to Murder On Christmas Eve, so I'm not going to write too much in this review. Out of the two, though, this is my favourite collection.

The stories in this collection are, for the most part, very good. The last couple weren't as engaging, but there's always going to be one or two you don't like. This collection even includes a tale about Sherlock Holmes (and Watson, of course) bt Arthur Conan Doyle himself. It was actually the first I've read of his work, and it was definitely as fantastic as I'd hoped.

Like the other book, the ten stories very from missing jewels hidden inside geese, to missing candle sticks, to death-by-radio. They're all very interesting mysteries, again seemingly simple on the surface but always a lot more incricate than they seem.

A nice collection of classic "festive" crimes. 3.5 stars.
  
40x40

Sarah (82 KP) rated Elf (2003) in Movies

Mar 12, 2019  
Elf (2003)
Elf (2003)
2003 | Comedy, Family
One of my all time favourite Christmas movies. Traditionally watched over the festive period.
The story follows a human who as a baby crawls into Santa's sack and ends up at the North Pole. He (Buddy) grows up with the elves but struggles with the elf jobs due to his size.
Buddy goes on a mission to find his Dad, who doesn't believe this strange man to be his son. Everyone falls in love with Buddy except his Dad, who struggles to accept him or believe his story of the North Pole and Santa, that's until Christmas Eve arrives and Santa is in trouble. Cue Buddy's new found friends to save Christmas.
A full on feel good festive movie, that will become a firm favourite in any household.
  
Joe and Clara’s Christmas Countdown
Joe and Clara’s Christmas Countdown
Katey Lovell | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Romance
10
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is one of my absolute favourite festive books out there. It’s warm and snuggly and it is so cheerful that it makes me smile as soon as I open the book.

Joe and Clara are both wonderfully developed characters who steal your heart from their first introductions. There were little moments that got me giggling, and plenty of times where the novel was just purely heartwarming.

To me, this is what every festive novel should be. It is so feel-good and I love the way that every chapter counts down until Christmas. If I had the self-control, I would read a chapter a day through December but I know I would never be able to restrain myself that much!

This is definitely a Christmas book you have to experience.
  
Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow!
Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow!
Donna Andrews | 2023 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Reality Show and Murder at Christmas
It’s the week before Christmas, but Meg has gotten roped into the reality show Blades of Glory! that is being filmed in the area. She just wanted to be working behind the scenes, but when someone attacks her mentor, who was supposed to be a competitor, she has to step in at the last minute as a contestant even though bladesmithing isn’t her specialty. But when another contestant is murdered, Meg begins to wonder if she is safe or if someone is out to do away with all their competition.

Yes, this is a Christmas entry in the series. While it may not quite seem like it from the teaser, we still get plenty of Christmas spirit on these pages, and I enjoyed some of the twists the set up brought us. It helps that we see many of the regular characters, and they are charming as always. I did find one of the other contestants to be very one dimensional. I get we weren’t supposed to like the guy, but did he have to be that much of a cliché? There is plenty going on to keep us reading, including set up, before the body drops, and I was never bored. However, the climax was weaker than it could have been, even though all our questions are answered. No matter when you read this entry, you’ll enjoy another Christmas with Meg.
  
Fanny and Alexander (1982)
Fanny and Alexander (1982)
1982 | Drama, International

"I’d like to say that the television version that’s longer is better than the version that was in movie theaters. Bergman’s my favorite filmmaker, if I had to choose. It’s very much a culmination of most of the themes and motifs of his career that appears as a physical personification in the very beginning of the film, similar kinds of ghosts that Bergman explored in the past. He has his love for the theater and puppetry and there’s moments of hope and joy, but it also just reminds you that humans have certain demons that they can’t ever escape. It’s really rich and it touches on so many things about what it is to be human that it’s really quite remarkable. And as with every Bergman movie, there’s not a moment of bad performance to be found. But I think that the first episode, if you were to watch the TV version, is just Christmas with a family. A long episode of getting to know a family at Christmas. And I was talking with [Home Alone director] Chris Columbus about Christmas in movies and he was explaining how it’s just a time of heightened emotions for everyone. So that’s a really clever way to learn about this family and all of their dynamics super deeply, by beginning at Christmas. And the first time you watch it, you’re kind of like, “Where is the story? What is this? This is just Christmas.” And then the next episode, the plot begins but you’ve gotten to know this family incredibly closely and so then you’re just so invested with them through the rest of the film. Also, like The Lighthouse, it has some fart jokes."

Source
  
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977)
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977)
1977 | Comedy, Family
Heartwarming and fun
I have watched this so many times. It one of my favorite Christmas stories directed by Jim Henson.

When a poor otter family sees the opportunity of a town talent show to make some much needed cash, they seize on the opportunity.

The songs and morals in this short TV movie make this great fun for the whole family.

The songs from Paul Williams will keep you humming.

  
Klaus (2019)
Klaus (2019)
2019 | Adventure, Animation, Comedy
It's unique animation style is gorgeous (0 more)
The part of the film that made me cry. I don't want to cry in front of my kids. (0 more)
Worth the hype
A lot of people said this was great but I get dubious of hype but this lives up to it. With animation like the illustrations from a children's book, Klaus is a touching, heartwarming and even sometimes magically sad story. This is quickly going to become a firm Christmas favorite.