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Black Widow (2021)
Black Widow (2021)
2021 | Action
The first Marvel movie out of the stables since the start of the Worldwide Covid-19 pandemic; I believe this was originally to be released before the likes of even WandaVision (shown on Disney+).

This was alos released concurrently on Disney+ (behind a paywall) and in the cinema: indeed, this is the very reason for ScarJo's lawsuit against Disney (she says she was told it would be theatres first, then Disney+ and that she only gets a percentage of box office takings).

Anyway, all that aside: this is actually set pre-snap; the majority of it back just after the events of 'Captain America: Civil War' (and thus before 'Avengers: Infinty War'), with Natasha on the run from the US government having broken the Sokovia Accords. It's not long, however, before she receives a package from a previous safe-house (Budapest. Yes, the Budapest mentioned before with Hawkeye: 'remember Budapest?') that leads her into a further adventure, this time involving her surrogate 'family' from when she was undercover in America as a kid in the mid 1990s.

Her 'dad' (David Harbour) 'Red Guardian' steals the show, while Florence Pugh (as her younger 'sister') and Rachel Weisz (as her 'mum') also provide sterling back-up.

Plenty of action, but the film does, perhaps, fall into the common Marvel trap of having a CGI-heavy ending ...
  
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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Jul 13, 2021 (Updated Jul 13, 2021)  
Watch a video interview with author Susie Finkbeiner, and enter the giveaway to win a $10 Starbucks gift card, a print copy of the Christian contemporary fiction novel The Nature of Small Birds, and a puzzle on my blog!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2021/07/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-nature-of.html


**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
In 1975, three thousand children were airlifted out of Saigon to be adopted into Western homes. When Mindy, one of those children, announces her plans to return to Vietnam to find her birth mother, her loving adopted family is suddenly thrown back to the events surrounding her unconventional arrival in their lives.

Though her father supports Mindy's desire to meet her family of origin, he struggles privately with an unsettling fear that he'll lose the daughter he's poured his heart into. Mindy's mother undergoes the emotional rollercoaster inherent in the adoption of a child from a war-torn country, discovering the joy hidden amid the difficulties. And Mindy's sister helps her sort through relics that whisper of the effect the trauma of war has had on their family--but also speak of the beauty of overcoming.

Told through three strong voices in three compelling timelines, The Nature of Small Birds is a hopeful story that explores the meaning of family far beyond genetic code.
     
The Berenstain Bears Go Christmas Caroling
The Berenstain Bears Go Christmas Caroling
Mike Berenstain, Jan Berenstain | 2019 | Children, Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
If you're a Berenstain Bears fan growing up. Then this book is a must-have for your collection or your child's bookshelves. This book deals with the Christmas season and the tradition of Christmas caroling. This one put the bear family on a sleigh and caroling of Jingle Bells.

Sister Bear seems to have questions about some of the Christmas carols that are sung. You learn about some sweetly. This book takes us on a journey through the neighborhood and sings songs. The pictures are done well. Quick and easy to read.

It is also good to add to your advent calendar if you open new books and old ones for your advent calendar. You can create a new tradition by doing so. You can just read it at bedtime. Children will learn new things throughout the book and teach a lesson differently.

The Berenstain Bears Go Christmas Caroling is good for the season and holiday. These books are best for teaching and just learn some lessons. Children will learn something from each book. The pictures are done well. They are cute and enjoyable. Parents will want to read these books to their child or children throughout the year. These books are classics and a favorite. They will become a favorite of your child or children once you get them reading them. They are a favorite of mine and still are.
  
Fighting with My Family (2019)
Fighting with My Family (2019)
2019 | Biography, Comedy, Drama
Story, casting (0 more)
Feel good film
Contains spoilers, click to show
Good film, telling the story of a family's obsession with wrestling.
The Brother Zak and sister Saraya compete in small venues managed by their father and mother who were also professional wrestlers many years earlier.
It is zaks dream to reach the pinnacle of professional wrestling the wwe.
It somehow feels as a youngster that Saraya is pressured onto wrestling and has no real interest.
Herself and Zak try out for wwe in London and Saraya is chosen to go to the second round of auditions in Florida USA.
This does not sit well with Zak as this is his dream.
Cue family drama, this However is well done and not forced, it feels very real of what happens inside many families.
Paige of course reaches the top and takes on the Diva Champion AJ Lee for the title on smack down the night after Wrestlemania xxx.
The true story of the youngest WWE Diva champion at 21 is thoughtfully and well played out by all in the cast.
Major Credit to the writer and producer Stephen Merchant and also to Dwayne Johnson as producer as I'm sure having him on board lent a lot of authenticity to this movie.
Some fun cameos too from Big Show and Seamus.
A1 guys
  
A Pizza My Heart
A Pizza My Heart
Teagan Hunter | 2019 | Contemporary, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
characters (1 more)
plot line
It's AMORE!
Holy moly! Teagan Hunter has done it again! She has managed to have me LOLing all over the place, gaining crazy stares from my family, and a few strangers! I absolutely loved the sass and wit she put into the characters.

Wren and Foster. Foster and Wren. Anyway you look at it, they are meant to be together! The sparks flew between them instantly and I held on for dear life, watching them together. I loved the way Foster had to work to show Wren she was more than just his best friend's kid sister. When the realization finally hit.....well, let's just say it was a hot slice of pizza for this reader!

Do I recommend this book? Abso-friggin-lutely. Do I want to keep it forever? Abso-friggin-lutely. Do I recommend eating it with pizza? No. If you do, you may choke from laughing often! With a beautiful heroine and a hot, sexy Hero that will melt your socks off, this is a 5 star worthy start to a fantastic new series from who I dubbed the Queen of RomCon. Well done, Hunter. Well done. Bring on the next!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
American Horror Story  - Season 2
American Horror Story - Season 2
2012 | Horror
Horror TV doesn't get much better
The second season on AHS, also known as 'Asylum' is fantastic, and in my opinion, still the best season to date.

The anthology template applied to AHS is given it first workout here - it's great to see familiar faces from the first season, albeit playing completely different characters. And the characters here are really something.
Sarah Paulson, Zachary Quinto, Joseph Fiennes, Evan Peters, Lizzie Brocheré, James Cromwell, Lily Rabe - they're all amazing in their own ways. Each character has several layers to them,lacing mystery and intrigue throughout Asylum to keep you guessing.

The unmistakable star of Asylum though is of course Jessica Lange.
Here character Sister Jude is an incredible villain for the most part, and equally sympathetic in other parts. Jessica Lange plays the part with aplomb, obviously enjoying every second of it, and is the main reason why this season is such a stand out.

The tone of Asylum is a lot more full on than Murder House - it's nastier, gorier, funnier, darker.
The cinematography is pretty bang on throughout, spoiling us with creepy shot after creepy shot.

It's honestly great, hard to find much to dislike. The hammier elements in AHS are often overdone and what ultimately stop this show from reaching perfection, but Asylum is as close as it has come for now.