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The Lion King (2019)
The Lion King (2019)
2019 | Adventure, Animation, Family
Contains spoilers, click to show
So I'm gonna start this off at the very beginning. The fact that they used the original opening singing to circle of life made my day. Its iconic and you cant replace it. The CGI throughout the entire movie was extremely well done and detailed which doesn't surprise me from Disney but as someone who studies animals I was extremely pleased with the inaccuracies of all the native species spotted into the movie (especially ones not seen in the original such as aardvarks, bat eared foxes and elephant shrews). The storyline did not stray from the original and I was still a blubbing mess when Mufasa died *insert quiet sobbing here*. The new voices for timon and pumba made this movie for me. I could not stop laughing whenever they were on and the improvisation was amazing.
The only downside for me was the new takes on songs whenever Beyonce sang. I'm a huge fan of her music but in the end when I was listening to her sing 'Can you feel the love tonight' all I could hear was Beyonce and not Nala. She made the song very 'poppy' and ruined the disney vibe for me. After that it was hard to listen to Nala's character. In my personal opinion I feel like she was brought in as she was a big name and not because she was necessarily right for the role of Nala.
However, would gladly watch again for all the moments I did enjoy.
  
The Foxhole Court (All for the Game, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This starts with Neil having a discussion with his Exy coach about people wanting to recruit him to their team and the thought of going into the limelight, when he's been on the run from his murdering father for years, sends him into a panic. But after some words and a few physical hits from his soon to be team-mates he agrees to go with them. What follows is a complicated mix of game play, mind games and secrets.

I couldn't put into words what it is about this story so far that has kept me reading because it's not exactly sunshine and roses - in fact it's quite the opposite - but I am so entrenched in the mystery of Kevin and the cousins and just what the heck is going on/going to happen next for this team that I straight away went and bought book 2 so I could find out - and at 99p each, this series is a bargain one.

One thing I will say is that I've never been so into a fictional sport before. Reading through the game about the 75% mark had me almost bouncing in my seat. I was very much behind the Foxes and wanted them to win so bad considering how unorthodox a team they are.

This does deal with some strong triggers such as drug taking, physical abuse and someone dies towards the end. It certainly isn't light reading but I am so intrigued by how their story line is going to play out so I'm off to start book 2.
  
    Dirt Dog

    Dirt Dog

    6.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

    Tabletop Game

    Use the unique skill of your pup to overcome obstacles and catch prized quarries in the underground...

40x40

Adam Ant recommended Monster Head Room by Ganglians in Music (curated)

 
Monster Head Room by Ganglians
Monster Head Room by Ganglians
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"This is the most contemporary record of the lot. They're a West Coast band. There's one track on there called 'Valiant Brave', which is one the most extraordinary songs I've heard in many years. It sounds like an Apache war cry recorded on the backside of a mountain somewhere. It's the most indescribable record. I'd love to have written it. There's just two chords and the arrangement is quite unusual. It hit me first time round and I was listening to it over and over. Then I bought the album. The rest of the album is very tight harmony work. They sound like sons of the Beach Boys. It's encouraging to hear a young band sound that good. It's purist. It's where the Fleet Foxes are going. It's a lovely record. Primarily I find new music by people telling me about bands, but I like the Uncut and Mojo magazine sampler CDs – they've got a wealth of tracks by new bands, underground bands. That's where I heard 'Valient Brave'. When you're making a living out of music and writing, there's such a lot to learn from what's already been recorded. It'd take you a lifetime to appreciate what's been done. But it's great when something is out on its own and you hit on something new; when someone's hit on a pulse and it's not derivative. Very early Blur were really good and the first Supergrass EP was fabulous. That was the last time it got exciting for me. Damon [Albarn] gave me a cuddle at the Hootenanny recently and told me he loved me."

Source
  
A Little Christmas! Matty's Secret
A Little Christmas! Matty's Secret
JP Sayle | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
MATTY'S SECRET is part of the multi-author A Little Christmas: Season 2 series. We have met Matty before as he is Gaines' best friend. It's finally time for him to get his own Daddy. The romance between Matty and Weston was so smooth, it was divine. The pitfalls that happen aren't anything to do with them, but with Matty's ex, a thoroughly loathsome toad by the name of Putrid Peter. Trust me, it fits!

I absolutely adored how we got Matty and Weston's story, while also catching up with Warner and Terrance, and Austin and Gaines. There were other names I'm not familiar with, so I'll be on the lookout for those, but I'm REALLY hoping Arlo and Lewis are somewhere on JP Sayle's list of books to write. 😍

Another thing I loved was how Matty loves his foxes, and they were incorporated into everyday life for him by Weston. I loved Mr Tod and those plates were a magic touch.

I stopped reading for a minute in a couple of places, usually when the exercises were being described. This was nothing to do with the author and everything to do with me having aphantasia. I simply had no idea what they were doing! LOL It sounded good though.

A sweet, cheeky, sweaty, and heartstopping story full of goodness. 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!
Dec 7, 2023
  
Awakening the Sheriff (Forestville Silver Foxes #2)
Awakening the Sheriff (Forestville Silver Foxes #2)
Nora Phoenix | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
AWAKENING THE SHERIFF is the second book in the Forestville Silver Foxes series. The title gives away one of the MCs, but the other is a new teacher in town, Keaton Perry.

I loved returning to Forestville and the close-knit group of friends. Auden has been stuck in a rut for a while now but has no idea how to change it, whatever 'it' may be. Keaton has moved to Forestville because he has warm memories of living in a small town himself. Of course, life never runs smoothly, especially when you've got teenagers.

Auden and Keaton's story is completely organic - nothing seems forced or false. It moves at a steady pace, giving the reader time to enjoy each and every scene. I loved the get-togethers where we saw all of the friends, and I REALLY loved how Auden expressed himself. Their story shows that love can be easy when you're with the right person, even when life can be hard.

I can't wait for the next book in this series but I am also hoping that we have a Forestville: Next Generation scenario, as I really want to know more about Gabe, Violet, and Dani. I also need Byron to have his HEA. He deserves it so much.

Such a brilliant book! I have absolutely no hesitation in HIGHLY recommending both this book and the series.

** 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!
Aug 22, 2023