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Owl Be Home for Christmas
Owl Be Home for Christmas
Donna Andrews | 2019 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
White Christmas? Check! But Will Snow and a Killer Keep Meg from Being Home for Christmas?
It’s a few days before Christmas and Meg Langslow and much of her family are at the Caerphilly Inn for Owl Fest 2019, a conference being put on by Meg’s grandfather. Unfortunately, the worst winter storm in decades has also decided to visit, trapping the attendees in the hotel and possibly keeping them from going home for Christmas. As the snow continues to fall, tempers continue to rise. Owls are not without their controversy, but Dr. Frogmore seems to be at the center of much of the arguments breaking out. No one much likes him, but for some, the problems with him go much deeper. However, when Dr. Frogmore drops dead, Meg’s father suspects that it wasn’t natural causes. Are they trapped at the inn with a killer? Can Meg figure out what is really happening before the snow ends so the conference attendees fly home?

This novel uses a classic mystery trope – everyone trapped someplace with a killer. I’m a little disappointed since it’s been used twice in a row in the series now, and the result was me beginning to feel a bit claustrophobic while I was reading. The mystery itself was solid. It’s obvious early on who the victim will be, and we learn about motives and suspects even before he drops dead. The further complications after the murder takes place kept me guessing until the end. As much as I enjoy spending time with Meg’s family, they aren’t as funny as they used to be. The new characters do provide some laughs, but there are some serious issues in the book that dampen some of the humor. All told, this is still a fun entry to the series that will please Meg’s many fans.
  
The Grinch (2018)
The Grinch (2018)
2018 | Animation, Family, Sci-Fi
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.
  
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Elli H Burton (1288 KP) rated A Christmas Carol (2009) in Movies

Nov 6, 2019 (Updated Nov 23, 2019)  
A Christmas Carol (2009)
A Christmas Carol (2009)
2009 | Animation, Drama, Fantasy
7
7.2 (58 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Another re-telling of a classic
So I've seen MANY renditions of this wonderful Charles Dickins story, this one is one i actually really like. It doesn't deviate from the original story, although yes it is quite darker than other tellings. I don't see that as a negative though, it's a dark story it doesn't need to be lightened to shield the darkness of a classic.
When you see Jim Carrey is Ebenezer Scrooge you do question, Hmm, is that really the right person to play this iconic character? The answer is yes. Jim is usually typecast as the funny man but in this he's cast very well. I also like that it's digital 3D which i think is the first time A Christmas Carol has been done in such a way.
  
Halloween is done, Bonfire Night has been and gone and Black Friday is over, it is time to admit that Christmas is here.

This means that ALL the festive films are arriving on streaming services and Netflix, Amazon Prime and NowTV have a selection of great films each, and some real trash ones.

So, here are some of the best Xmas releases on Netflix UK, Amazon Prime and NowTV for you to watch over the festive season.

Christmas films on Netflix, NowTV and Amazon Prime include Love Actually, Home Alone 2, Polar Express and more:


Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

7.8 (18 Ratings) Rate It

Movie

One year after Kevin was left home alone and had to defeat a pair of bumbling burglars, he...

Almost Christmas (2016)

Almost Christmas (2016)

7.3 (4 Ratings) Rate It

Movie Watch

Walter Meyer (Danny Glover) is a retired mechanic who lost the love of his life one year earlier....

Love Actually (2003)

Love Actually (2003)

8.2 (62 Ratings) Rate It

Movie Watch

"Get ready for fun!" (Leah Rozen, People) with the "feel good movie of the year!" (Clay Smith,...

and 3 other items
     
     
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Dean (6927 KP) rated A Christmas Horror Story (2015) in Movies

Dec 17, 2017 (Updated Dec 17, 2017)  
A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
2015 | Horror
7
6.4 (5 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Good mix of stories (0 more)
Great Christmas Horror anthology
I came across this last year and didn't expect much as a straight to DVD film. It turned out to be a little gem of a film. Mixing up various horror types from Slasher, Ghost story, mythical and the plain weird. All linked together by William Shatner as the small town local radio DJ. Reminded me of @Trick 'r Treat (2007) something for everyone, check it out.
  
The Thin Man
The Thin Man
Dashiell Hammett | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
After seeing all the movies, I finally read the book. Nick and Nora Charles are trying to enjoy a Christmas in New York City, but a case involving one of Nick's former clients keeps interrupting the holiday. I found this book lacked some of the spark of the movie version, but it was still enjoyable.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-thin-man-by-dashiell-hammett.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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Jewels (684 KP) rated Onn 10" Tablet in Tech

Feb 14, 2020  
Onn 10&quot; Tablet
Onn 10" Tablet
Computers & Accessories > Tablets
7
5.8 (8 Ratings)
Tech Rating
Battery Life (1 more)
Charging time
I picked this up at Christmas for the kids. The tablet itself runs fine for what the kids are using it for the most- music, games and video's, but none of them have tried using it for homework. So far the only complaint would be that the battery life isn't long enough if the kids want to use it multiple times a day, and then it takes a long time to charge.
  
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Lily Collins recommended Love Actually (2003) in Movies (curated)

 
Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually (2003)
2003 | Comedy, Romance

"These are so raw — this is who I am, these movies. [Laughs] They’re very girly. In no particular order… Love Actually. Most of these movies have British accents in them, because, being from England, there’s something about films that I watch that have a British accent that I just feel so at home with. That film I can watch any day and it makes me smile; and I love Christmas, so it kind of matches perfectly."

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