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Robert Eggers recommended Fanny and Alexander (1982) in Movies (curated)

Fanny and Alexander (1982)

1982 | Drama, International

8.3

(3 Ratings)

Movie Favorite

"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."

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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2322 KP) rated Have Yourself a Beary Little Murder in Books

Sep 25, 2019

Who Killed Santa Bear?

This December is proving to be especially busy for Sasha Silverman. Not only are there the usual activities in town, but the Silver Bear Shop and Factory has won a prize with their design for a Beary Potter bear, and they are rushing to meet demand in time for Christmas. So, the last thing that Sasha needs is to get involved in a murder, but that’s just what happens. The highlight of the annual Christmas parade is Santa Bear, and once again this year, the town’s mayor, Cal Bloom, is playing the part. However, with the parade start time drawing near, no one can find him. Sasha and her mother start searching only to find him dead on a bench in his costume. It appears his death wasn’t natural, so what happened to him? How did he get to the park bench?

The book wastes little time in killing off Mayor Bloom, and we get some good clues and suspects along the way to the logical climax. Sasha and her immediate family are strong characters, and it was great to spend time with them again. The suspects are also good characters. Unfortunately, the rest of the characters are hard to keep straight, but that doesn’t impact following the plot, so it didn’t bother me too much. Despite the cute and cuddly nature of Teddy Bears, this series has always had a bit more bite to it for a cozy, and this book is no exception. However, the Christmas setting adds a festival feel to the book, and I really enjoyed that addition. Heck, I wanted to join the company employee Christmas party – it sounded delightful. And I was drooling over some of the goodies they were eating. If you are ready to get in the Christmas spirit a little early, this is the book for you.

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Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated A Christmas Carol in Books

Apr 27, 2018

We all, at one point or another, have heard the story of A Christmas Carol, whether we read the book in school, watched a movie with the family, or saw the Muppets version on youtube (which, by the way, is my favorite. I heartily recommend it.). But there is so much more to the story that we don’t grasp because of how our culture has changed. This is the way it is with every classic book. But A Christmas Carol is a story that needs to be understood in it’s full impact because of the story it tells and the lessons it teaches. Stephen Skelton has made it possible.

The Special Edition of A Christmas Carol is a small book, perfect to fit in a small handbag (or a stocking!) with a beautiful cover. The book itself is printed with Dickens’ story in the main section of the pages, and the notes, subtext, and annotations printed in the outer margins. After every “Chapter” (called a Stave in the text) there is a discussion section, perfect for any age group, either young children or mature Christians. The discussion features Bible verses and questions, and relates events, topics, and themes from A Christmas Carol to our everyday Christian walk with God. Extra verses and topics follow the end of every discussion section for those older individuals who wish to go further into studying the themes targeted in the book: Selfishness, Regret, Repentance, Salvation, and Rebirth. At the end of the book is a list of resources for further study.
The story of A Christmas Carol remains, to this day, a classic in literature because it is a wonderful story of sin and greed turned around to Christianity and charity through allegory and parable. It has proved itself a wonderful story to every reader, and will continue to do so forever. Hopefully, this will be the edition that becomes the standard.

Recommendation: All ages. Wonderful for family discussions or group Bible studies. Perfect Christmas gift or stocking stuffer!

**Thank you to FSB Associates for providing my review copy!**

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Holiday Songs Traditional Xmas Carols Music Tube

Catalogs, Music and Stickers

(0 Ratings) Rate It

App

※※ This app contains ※※ • The best traditional holiday music! • Soundbox with cute...

Fatboy (8 KP) rated Aquaman (2018) in Movies

May 12, 2019

Aquaman (2018)

2018 | Action, Sci-Fi

7.7

(117 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

Okay so waited to see this on DVD due to crowds around Christmas time and cost of the theater well let me tell you this would have been worth every penny to see In the theaters so much going on so funny and action packed so much fun

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Peter G. (247 KP) rated Elf (2003) in Movies

Jun 12, 2019

Elf (2003)

2003 | Comedy, Family

7.8

(81 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

Thoroughly brilliant Christmas tale that can be quite hilarious at times as this is Will Ferrell in his element as the manchild and innocent titular character, it has wide appeal and great set pieces and an early role for game of thrones Peter Dinklage. "Santa, I know him"

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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2322 KP) rated Plum Pudding Murder (Hannah Swensen, #12) in Books

Mar 9, 2018

Hannah finds another dead body, this time the man running the local Christmas tree lot. Yeah, the series is stuck in a rut, but I still really enjoy them.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-plum-pudding-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.