Books I read in 2018

Happy 2019 everyone!!

I am so excited of what this year will bring!!! But, before I go into that, I am going to post a list of all the books I read in 2018! If I reviewed it, I have linked to it. Here are the links to my 2016 list, and 2017 list! I hope you enjoy!

This year was a little bit of a disappointment because I read some really bad books for school or challenges. Bleh, I always felt gross after reading them. I have hope, that this year will be better!


New-to-me Reads:

Mansfield Park - by Jane Austen (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4)
Danny the Champion of the World - by Roald Dahl
Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief - by Wendelin Van Draanen
Night of the Ninth Dragon - by Mary Pope Osborne
The Rumpelstiltskin Problem - by Vivian Vande Velde
The Goose Girl - by Shannon Hale
The Merchant of Mars - by Ronald Pisacuro
The Zookeeper's Wife - by Diane Ackerman
Flipped - by Wendelin Van Draanen
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - by J. K. Rowling
The Cure - by Parker J. Cole
Time to Say Goodbye - by Parker J. Cole
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm - by Kate Douglas Wiggin
When You Reach Me - by Rebecca Stead
Frankenstein - by Mary Shelley
Rainbow Valley - by L. M. Montgomery
The Beet Queen - by Louise Erdrich
Lady Susan - by Jane Austen
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - by Ann Brashares
Uncommon Type - by Tom Hanks
Mary Poppins - by P. L. Travers
Candide - by Voltare
The Midwife's Apprentice - by Karen Cushman
The Adventures of Robin Hood - by E. Charles Vivian
The Haunted Showboat - by Carolyn Keene
Death Comes to Pemberly - by P. D. James
Charlotte's Web - by E. B. White
The Body in the Library - by Agatha Christie
The Book Jumper - by Mechthild Gläser
Romeow and Juliet - by Kathi Daley
The Tales of Beedle the Bard - by J. K. Rowling
Angela's Ashes - by Frank McCourt (I didn't read all of it, because I cried it was so terrible, but I did so much I am counting it)
The Wild Robot - by Peter Brown
I Got This: To Gold and Beyond - by Laurie Hernandez
Enna Burning - by Shannon Hale
Mark Twain in Virginia City - by (I'll have to look this up)
Funerals are Fatal - by Agatha Christie
Cinder - by Marissa Meyer
Scarlet - by Marissa Meyer
Treasure of Hope - by Ceciliy Wolfe
Cress - by Marissa Meyer
Winter - by Marissa Meyer
Stars Above - by Marissa Meyer
Missing! - by Émile Gaboriau
The Travelers Story of a Terribly Strange Bed - by Wilkie Collins
Murders in the Rue Morgue - by Edgar Allan Poe
The Ten-Thirty Folkstone Express - by Sax Rohmer
Sarah, Plain and Tall - by Patricia MacLacnlan

Total: 48

Yikes, I need to review more!


Rereads:

The Chronicles of Narnia - C. S. Lewis:
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair
The Horse and His Boy
The Magician's Nephew
The Last Battle

The Anne of Green Gables Series - by L. M. Montgomery:
Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Avonlea
Anne of the Island
Anne of Windy Poplars

Total: 11


My 10 Favorites New-To-Me (No specific order):

1. Flipped - by Wendelin Van Draanen

2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - by J. K. Rowling

3. When You Reach Me - by Rebecca Stead

4. The Adventures of Robin Hood - by E. Charles Vivian

5. The Wild Robot - by Peter Brown

6. Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm - by Kate Douglas Wiggin

7. The Rumpelstiltskin Problem - by Vivian Vande Velde

8. Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief - by Wendelin Van Draanen

9. Cress - by Marissa Meyer

10. Winter - by Marissa Meyer

The Mount TBR 2018 challenge:

Click here for Bev's original post.

I picked Pike's Peak, which is Read 12 books from your TBR pile/s, and I did 15!:


Mansfield Park - by Jane Austen
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - by J. K. Rowling
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe - by C. S. Lewis
Prince Caspian - by C. S. Lewis
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm - by Kate Douglas Wiggin
Frankenstein - by Mary Shelley
Rainbow Valley - by L. M. Montgomery
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - by Ann Brashares
Mary Poppins - by P. L. Travers
The Adventures of Robin Hood - by E. Charles Vivian
Funerals are Fatal - by Agatha Christie
Missing! - by Émile Gaboriau
The Travelers Story of a Terribly Strange Bed - by Wilkie Collins
Murders in the Rue Morgue - by Edgar Allan Poe
The Ten-Thirty Folkstone Express - by Sax Rohmer


The Mount TBR 2019 challenge:

I once again, pick Pike's Peak! I am really excited to participate again!


Thank you so much for reading this huge post! Have you read any of these books? Are they your favorite?

Happy 2019!

MovieCritic

Memorial 2018

Hello.
At the end of each year that I have had this blog, I do a memorial for actors and authors that were close to my heart, who we lost in that year. This year it will be a little different, it won't just be actors and authors.

Ursula K. Le Guin: Author

October 21st, 1929 - January 22nd, 2018

She has written so many books, but I have only read two of them. I read A Wizard of Earthsea just when I was starting this blog. I was very confused when I read it, but thinking back on it I think I would love it if I reread it. I have also read Catwings. It is very short, but very sweet. I look forward to reading more of her fabulous ideas.

John Mahoney: Actor

June 20th, 1940 - February 4th, 2018

Though he was best know for his work on Fraiser, I know him mostly for voice roles. They include: Antz (1998), The Iron Giant (1999), Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001), and Atlantis: Milo's Return (2003). Though, just year I saw him in the movie Flipped (2010), and that is by far my favorite role of his, hence the picture being from it. He brings Chet Duncan to life with his wise pieces of advice. It is one of my favorite movies, and I will always remember his part in it.

Patrick F. McManus: Author

August 25th, 1933 - April 11th, 2018

My dad has probably been reading me his stories for a long time, but I first remember hearing one of his stories in 2012. We were going through a hard, and little bit scary, time, with a family member in the hospital and the rest of us staying in a hotel. My dad pulled out one of his books and we were able to laugh. Ever since then, I have heard so many of his stories. It seems like any time we are in a hotel my dad pulls one of his books out from his suitcase and starts reading. I will miss hearing new ones, but I will always cherish the times it has made me laugh.

Ellen: My grandma.
1920 - May 2018
She was one of the strongest women I know. Mentally, and physically. She had determination. She fought in World War II, and had her own business for a long time. Up until a few years ago she lived across the street from us, and every Sunday after church we would go see her and she would feed my sisters and I juice and chocolate. About 2011/12 we would go over every evening and watch Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune with her. I was surprised when she was 92 she answered a Jeopardy! question correctly when no one playing did! She loved to play cards and she won quiet a bit when we played with her. I miss her a lot but, I know she is better know because she had stopped walking and had been in a lot of pain. Thank you to everyone who prayed for her and for my family, we really appreciate it.



Stan Lee: Comic Book Creator
December 28th, 1922 - November 12th, 2018

Even though I have read quite a few comic books, I don't think I have read any that he wrote, but I always enjoy seeing his cameo appearances! I have seen him "appear" in: Iron Man (2008), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) [this was the movie that my dad first pointed him out to me, and said how he is in every Marvel movie, so it will always be my favorite of his cameos], Doctor Strange (2016), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004), and Big Hero 6 (2014). I look forward to looking for him in other movies!



William Goldman: Author
August 12th, 1931 - November 16th, 2018

Though he wrote a lot of things, he said this: 

"I don't like my writing. I wrote a movie called Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and I wrote a novel called The Princess Bride and those are the only two things I've ever written, not that I'm proud of, but that I can look at without humiliation." 

Those happen to be his two works I know. Well, I've only seen part of BCatSK, but The Princess Bride is so nostalgic for me! I really appreciate that he wrote it.

Ken Berry: Actor
November 3rd, 1933 - December 1st, 2018

It is no secret that I am a fan of the Herbie movies. And what I really love about Herbie Rides Again is his performance. He just makes the whole film! I cannot wait to see his other movies. Thank you, Mr. Berry.


Did you know any of these people? Do you have a favorite work or part of theirs?

This is my last post for 2018! It was such an amazing year! Each year just keeps getting better and better, so I cannot wait to see what 2019 will bring!

MovieCritic

Movie Review: Incredibles 2 (2018)

Hello!

I know, it is still in the twelve days of Christmas, so should I be reviewing another Christmas movie? Well, I was going to review my favorite Christmas movie ever, but I was enjoying it so much while watching it I forgot to make notes... So maybe you'll see my review of that next year (no, not in the next week [yikes!], next December).

"So what are you going to review today?", you ask. Well, I was thinking about all the times I have reviewed a movie the same year it came out...

Once. My very first review.

"What!? That's crazy!", you exclaim. Yes, I know. Therefore, I will do it today! And yes, I know that this came out over six months ago, but we are still in the same year! And I reviewed the first one this year, so that is another bonus. I am very organized here, ish.

Though, it is weird that this came out 14 years after the original.

"You're too late. 14 years too late..."

Sorry, I couldn't help myself!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

Incredibles 2 (2018):

"Done properly, parenting is heroic work. Done properly."
Taking off from where the first movie ended, two super parents are trying to raise there kids, who also have super powers, and make everything "normal". When a business tycoon approaches them, Helen, Elastagirl, starts doing superhero work to try to convince people that supers should be legal again. She finds her self against the "Screenslayer", the villain who is just one step ahead of her. Meanwhile, Bob is taking care of the kids, and has to especially watch Jack-Jack, the baby, who seems to have many different powers!

Genre: Action, Animated.

Length: approx. 118 minutes.

Costumes: 7. This mostly is for the way that some of the people are drawn. And there is nothing exceptional.

Script: 10, no bad words!

Crew:

Directed by: Brad Bird.

Produced by: John Walker, & Nicole Paradis Grindle.

Written by: Brad Bird.

Starring:

Holly Hunter as Helen Parr / Elastigirl. "Make your mark."

Craig T. Nelson as Bob Parr / Mr. Incredible. "It's not my fault they changed Math!"

Sarah Vowell as Violet Parr.

Huckleberry Milner as Dashiell "Dash" Parr. "It defines who I am."

Eli Fucile as Jack-Jack Parr.

Bob Odenkirk as Winston Deavor.

Catherine Keener as Evelyn Deavor.

Samuel L. Jackson as Lucius Best / Frozone. (He is my favorite superhero ever!)

Michael Bird as Tony Rydinger.

Brad Bird as Edna Mode.

Sophia Bush as Karen / Voyd.

Phil LaMarr as Krushauer and He-Lectrix.

Paul Eiding as Gus Burns / Reflux.

Jonathan Banks as Rick Dicker.

Isabella Rossellini as The Ambassador.

John Ratzenberger as The Underminer.

Cinematography/Animation: 8, I've been reading and watching a lot of videos on how they do all the animation, and it is a lot of work! I am giving them a lot of credit for that, but I don't like some things about the way they've drawn some of the people, some of them were drawn a little bit differently.

Cinematography by: Mahyar Abousaeedi, & Erik Smitt.

In this scene, I am Dash. To a "T". It drives my sister crazy...

Music: 10! I love it!

Music by: Michael Giacchino

Quotes: 9, "I'm used to knowing what the right thing is."

My sisters and I quote this whole scene all the time!

Storyline: 10, Warning, there is some intense action and some very suspenseful bits (my heart was racing!), but nothing bad!
"Turns out saving some one's life makes a good impression."

Good For: Superhero fans!

Overall Score: 9!

Bonus thoughts: I actually liked this better than the first one! Which is very rare for a sequel!

Thanks for reading! Did you like the first one, or this one better?

MovieCritic

Movie Review: White Christmas (1954)

Hello!

Merry Christmas! As it is the third day, I think it's about time I review a Christmas movie! Today I will be reviewing one that is very nostalgic, one that I have been watching for as long as I can remember!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

White Christmas (1954):

"Vermont should be beautiful this time of the year with all that snow."
After World War II ends, a former private, Phil Davis, convinces a former captain, Bob Wallace, into becoming a "dynamic duo" singing act. "For an old friend in the army" they end up helping the Haynes sisters, Betty and Judy out of trouble. Judy and Phil work together to try to get Betty and Bob to fall in love. They end up in Vermont where Phil and Bob's former major general owns an inn and is feeling down. They bring their show up to bring in some business and try to cheer "Old" Tom up.

Genre: Musical, Christmas.

Length: approx. 120 minutes.

Costumes: 7, There are some "skimpy" ones in the show biz, but other than that they are great.
Costumes by: Edith Head.

My favorite: It has changed so often! My favorites used to be all of Judy's dresses, but currently they are all of Betty's dresses!

Script: 9, "Once I figure out what that means I'll come up with a crushing reply."

Crew:
Directed by: Michael Curtiz.
Produced by: Robert Emmett Dolan.
Written by: Norman Krasna, Norman Panama, & Melvin Frank.

Starring:
Bing Crosby as Bob Wallace. "You're a lonely, miserable man."

Danny Kaye as Phil Davis.
Rosemary Clooney as Betty Haynes.

Vera-Ellen as Judy Haynes.
Dean Jagger as Major General Tom Waverly.

On the left.

Mary Wickes as Emma.

Anne Whitfield as Susan Waverly.

Johnny Grant as Ed Harrison.
Percy Helton as Train conductor.
Herb Vigran as Novello.

Cinematography: 8, there aren't a lot of outdoor scenes, but the set scenes are pretty impressive.

Cinematography by: Loyal Griggs.

Music: 10! On of my favorites is "Snow!"

Music by: Irving Berlin.

Quotes: 9,
'"How much is 'wow'?"
"Somewhere between 'ouch' and 'boing'!"'

Oscars won: It didn't win any, but it was nominated for Best Original Song for "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep."
Notes: Though the movie title is "White Christmas" the song first came out in the movie Holiday Inn. It won an Oscar there.

This is probably one of the most famous scenes!

Storyline: 8, there is smoking, and a few suggestive things.

Good For: Musical lovers, Christmas movie fans.

Overall Score: 8.5

Bonus thoughts: As I said that my taste in costumes has changed, so has my taste in songs! My favorites are now "eh", and my old least favorites are now my actual favorites.

Well, there you have it! Have you seen this movie? Any thoughts on it?

Thanks for reading, and Merry Christmas!

MovieCritic