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    SCRABBLE Premium for iPad

    SCRABBLE Premium for iPad

    Games and Entertainment

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    App

    CONNECT WITH FRIENDS. PLAY WITH WORDS. Get a game of SCRABBLE going with just about anyone – or...

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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Rio 2 (2014) in Movies

Jun 19, 2019  
Rio 2 (2014)
Rio 2 (2014)
2014 | Animation, Comedy, Family
6
6.7 (13 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
Three years ago, my wife and I moved down to Arizona to open the second office of Skewed and Reviewed. I remember clearly getting into town on a Tuesday evening and the following Saturday morning we had our first assignment in AZ, screening the movie “RIO”.

As we marked the anniversary of our arrival in the Valley of the Sun, it was ironic that “Rio 2” was flying into theaters at the same time and once again, we had a Saturday morning screening for the film albeit at different theaters.

The sequel picks up shortly after the events of the first film with Blu (Jess Eisenberg), and Jewel (Anne Hathaway), raising their children in a sanctuary in Rio. Their musical and colorful friends are all around them and are preparing for the upcoming carnival and the festivities that go along with it.

Blu learns that his former owner Linda (Leslie Mann), and her husband may have discovered others of Blu’s species in the deep jungle, which in turn leads Jewel to suggest a family vacation into the wild to help out.

For a city bird like Blu, venturing into the wild requires a fanny pack with items ranging from a G.P.S. to a utility knife and other modern items much to the chagrin of those around him.

The distant journey seems to be going well, until Blu crosses paths with Nigel (Jemaine Clement), who is still seething over his last encounter with Blu and schemes his revenge.

Blu and his family stumble upon a whole flock of their species and they eagerly embrace Jewel as she has returned home. Blu despite his best efforts does not fit in and struggles to gain acceptance from Jewel’s dad who is also the leader of the flock.

As if this was not enough problems for one bird to handle, an illegal organization is cutting down the forest which threatens the flock as well as Lind and her husband.

What follows is a madcap mix of comedy, music, and adventure as the film mixes very good lessons about environmental awareness and acceptance without ever being preachy.

The animation and 3D is solid and the supporting cast which included Bruno Mars, George Lopez, Jaime Foxx, Will I Am, Tracy Morgan, Andy Garcia and many others does a solid job.

The film took a while to get going and while the final 30 minutes pays off, the biggest trouble was staying with the film during the slower moments.

While it was very well presented and produced it does make me appreciate just how dialed in Disney is with their films as no matter how much they tried, none of the musical numbers in “Rio 2” were memorable and I stuggled to remember a single song shortly after the screener.

Since Disney is the leader in the industry for animated films and have been so for over 75 years, it would be unfair to expect the company behind the “Ice Age” series to meet the same standards.

While it may not be a timeless classic, “Rio 2” still has enough charm and enjoyment to make it an enjoyable film for younger viewers and fans of the first film, just as long as you temper your expectations.

http://sknr.net/2014/04/11/rio-2/
  
    Flight Review

    Flight Review

    Education and Reference

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    App

    Includes over 2 hours of all new HD video segments, including new training segments on ADS-B,...

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BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Together Forever (Orphan Train, #2) in Books

Jan 2, 2019  
TF
Together Forever (Orphan Train, #2)
Jody Hedlund | 2018
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Any time I pick up a Jody Hedlund book, I wish I could just cancel the day and binge read. Alas, life happens and children must be fed...However, there is a point in each of her books that demands that you read past your bedtime in order to finish (and that happened to me last night).

Filled with rich detail and engaging history, Together Forever will whisk you away to another era. A heartbreaking time in our history, I have learned a lot about The Children's Aid Society and the orphan trains through this series.

Marianne Neumann is a young woman riddled with guilt from past decisions. She is in a place that I am sure many of us have been. Thinking that God no longer cares, or would even bother with the likes of her. Her journey of acceptance, truth, and love is one to cherish. I LOVE the tender, fun, and passionate Andrew Brady. He too battles with forgiving himself for past mistakes...but his faith and character make him stand out among heroes.

Jody Hedlund never ceases to capture my heart and soul with her stories and Together Forever, is no exception. Faith, family, and romance are at the heart of this story. Let it sweep you away and get lost in a good book today! Together Forever is Book TWO in the Orphan Train Series, make sure to check out the prequel (An Awakened Heart) and Book One (With You Always) first.

I received a complimentary copy of Together Forever from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.