Smashbomb

Are you a fan of Middle Grade and/or historical fiction? If so, you have got to check out BLUE SKIES by Anne Bustard! This is one book you won't want to miss. As a bonus, I've also got a playlist for the book on my blog, and you can enter the #GIVEAWAY to #win your own signed copy - three winners! https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2020/03/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-blue-skies.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
Ten-year-old Glory Bea Bennett believes in miracles. After all, her grandmother—the best matchmaker in the whole county—is responsible for thirty-nine of them so far.

Now, Glory Bea wants a miracle of her own—her daddy’s return.

The war ended three years ago, but Glory Bea’s father never returned from the front in France. She believes Daddy is still out there.

When reports that the Texas boxcar from the Merci Train—a train filled with gifts of gratitude from the people of France—will be stopping in Gladiola, Glory Bea just knows Daddy will be its surprise cargo.

But miracles, like people, are always changing, until at last they find their way home.

Kudos Comment

Awix (3310 KP) rated The Hidden Fortress (1958) in Movies

Apr 28, 2020

The Hidden Fortress (1958)

1958 | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

5.4

(5 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Historical epic from Kurosawa. A motley group including two scumbag peasants, a wilful young princess, and an imposingly lethal warrior try to make their way through enemy territory while carrying a large stash of gold. Much more famous for its influence on the stellar conflict saga than its own merits, this movie doesn't have the inspired simplicity of premise or the economy of a film like Seven Samurai or Yojimbo, but is still rewarding provided you can get on its wavelength.

There are many good things about this film - Mifune, the compositions, some stunning epic set-pieces - but on the other hand it will probably feel very slow to a modern viewer, with a lot of wandering about that doesn't really seem necessary. At its heart the film is about the contrast and conflict between the noble and honorable concerns of the princess and her general and the completely selfish and amoral outlook of the peasants, and this is nicely achieved without feeling too heavy-handed. Suffice to say everyone learns something by the end. In the end, though, this is mid-table Kurosawa.