June 2020
M O V I E S
John Wick Chapter 2 (2017)
(Low key forgot what happened)
John Wick is confronted by former employer, commissioning him to go kill his sister for the seat at a fancy organization. All turns south when a high reward is placed on him. Enemies spawn out of nowhere in tsunami size waves as he mows them all down with a rain of bullets. He even kills some (three?) people with a pencil. Ruby Rose is mute and signing anxiously big and hilarious.
He ends up being a dead man walking.
Not really a fan of John Wick. It took me two movies the figure that out but he just shoots everyone down. Like I don't really enjoy seeing people die I guess. Hey HEY action movies don't need people dying all the time.
Overall:
Rating: R
Length: 2 h 02 min
Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Chad Stahelski
Ruby Rose gave 2 of the 3 stars
The Bridges of Madison County (1995)
After the rest of the family leaves for four glorious day to a county fair, a mysterious photographer comes to ask her for directions. It only took four days, but the four days felt like a lifetime.
She was 40. He was 60. To younger viewers, this would have been super weird. Here's my opinion. That old man is THE Clint Eastwood. For older generations, he was the coolest guy in Hollywood, like Timotheé Chalamet or something. So to have a movie of a woman that is like most all women: trapped in a space where inner desires and whims are locked away for the sake of family, falling in love with Eastwood would have been the dream of ages. Also, to add onto that, Eastwood is like Tom Cruise, good at action movies but suck at emotional acting. But he's cool so he gets a pass.
Overall:
Rating: PG-13
Length: 2 h 15 min
Genre: Drama, Romance
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Everything about him is erotic.
Da 5 Bloods (2020)
Not gonna lie, I missed a good chunk of it when I had to go eat dinner. But I think I got a gist of it. I think.
So a group of black soldiers were fighting in the Vietnam war, stumbling over a lot of gold. Years later, to avenge one that died, they go back to retrieve the gold. There was a lot of betrayal, anger, shock and at the core of it, brotherhood.
I watched this movie in theme of the black lives matter movement. That being said, this wasn't much set in America. I might have missed that part of it. But as a human watching a story about humans, it really struck something in me. It was a story of guilt, being held through so many years, the act of forgiveness and acceptance. In a quest of finding riches, the end became one to fund for power of voice and and extension of a hand of kindness. If you are queasy about blood and death, please don't watch. Otherwise, powerful movie.
Overall:
Rating: R
Length: 2 h 34 min
Genre: Adventure, Drama, War
Directed by: Spike Lee
I...
A N I M A T E D M O V I E S
The Boy and The Beast (2015)
A boy loses his family, and travels to a mystery world filled with humanoid animals. He encounters a beast, who is looking for an apprentice to train and become the grandmaster. The two hotheaded characters are forced to live together, fighting, learning, training together for years to come. When another human is consumed by the darkness of the human soul, he goes off to fight him, to save the human world.
But it mirrors the story of Moby Dick. He meets the Beast, who is so like him, it's really cool to se that they are indeed one protagonist, the contrast being the two other friends who live with them. Both of them figure out their weaknesses by learning from each other. It is a true story of accepting oneself, and let go of hate. The animation too, the whale animation is so beautiful. I mean, this movie is created by the same director as Wolf Children. The theme was a little right on the nose but absolutely amazing.
Overall:
Rating: PG-13
Length: 1 h 59 min
Genre: Action, Adventure
Directed by: Mamoru Hosoda
When holding the sword with your heart becomes literal...
T V S H O W S / A N I M E
Love, Victor (2020)
This was the continuation of Love, Simon and, well, I had to watch it.
And then I finished it in a day.
Victor (is a POC with YASSS) is a new student to Creekwood High. After hearing about the legendary Simon Spier, he slides into his DMs on instagram to talk about his identity crisis. At school, he meets a cool girl named Mia, and believing he is not who he thought he was, tries being "normal" by dating her. It all goes haywire when he gets a job at the coffee shop with handsome boy number 1 working there too. Well, he might be a little gayer than he thought he was.
This was the perfect YA Romance. Chance meetings happening at the weirdest times. New kid meets popular girl who falls in love with him. A quirky sidekick (neighbor) friend that's comical relief. I mean it's got it all. And that's why I truly enjoyed it. It was a story about a boy with a not so perfect life, trying his darn best to navigate through it all without hurting himself too much in the process.
Overall:
Rating: TV-14
Length: 10 episodes
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Directed by: Issac Aptaker, Elizabeth Berger
A circus full of sexy clowns.
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts Season 2 (2020)
In a time where humans are forced underground into burrows, the surface roams mutated animals. Only the most daring of humans venture under the sun.
After finding out that she is a half mutant, Kipo travels around, learning how to perfect her transformation, as well as finding glimpses of her past, the truth of Scarlemagne and her mother. She and Wolf and Dave and lovesick Benson work to stop Scarlemagne's plan on making the world anew by controlling everybody.
This show is amazing- like all Dreamworks shows nowadays apparently. It is filled with diversity, there is a theme that extends further than just a war between humans and mutts. It is a story about love and friendship, even towards enemies and it sets a great example for young children who are watching this, learning about morals.
The opening song is a bop. She-Ra, learn.
Overall:
Rating: TV-Y7
Length: 10 episodes
Genre: Action, Adventure
Directed by: Michael Chang, Matt Ahrens, Bridget Underwood, Chase Conley
Why is this so badass
Tower of God Season 1 (2020)
After Rachel leaves Bam to climb the tower, he goes after her, her being the only thing in life he cared about. This tower, if one could climb to the very top, could have anything they want in the world. Bam meets a few friends along the way, all with the same intentions. Through test after test, Bam grows stronger, but his inner desire stays the same: He wants to climb the tower with Rachel and see the stars with her.
STRAY KIDS YOOO THEY SLAYED THAT INTRO AND OUTRO SONG
I absolutely love the art style of this show. From what I've seen so far, I feel like I've only scratched the bare surface of the world. I cannot wait to see how the story will unfold, with so many unique characters, all armed with the desire to reach the top.
I should read the webtoon.
Overall:
Rating: TV-14
Length: 13 episodes
Genre: Action, Adventure
Directed by: Takashi Sano
Bam deserves the world.
P E R C Y J A C K S O N R E V I E W
The Lightning Thief (2005)
I reread the whole series out loud and here are my thoughts.
Percy is thrusted into this new life with Greek Gods, and what's the first thing that happened? It takes his mother. The whole quest he takes, he slowly learns how to trust this father that have never been there before. With the help of Annabeth and Grover, he learns more about this new world, through the tiny ups and lots of monsters.
This book sets up the big bad, Kronos. It also sets up the beef between Hades and the rest of the olympians, how isolated he feels towards the rest of his family. Lastly, Luke sets up how many of the demigod children feel, being neglected by their godly parents, something he definitely shows, having never known his father was still alive until a few days ago. And don't forget, Percy's mom is an NYU alum (yes).
An absolute classic. A+ world building. A+ character building / relationships.
Overall:
Rating: Middle School
Length: 375 pgs
Genre: Action, Adventure, Mythology
Written By: Rick Riordan
Percy sassing Charon is iconic and shall go down in history.
The Sea of Monsters (2006)
This book is the classic "Jason and Argonauts" or Odysseus book, where they travel through by sea, encountering similar threats along the way. There was a moment (sailing on Blackbeard's pirate ship of all SHIPS) where Annabeth is vulnerable to Percy, showing him her fatal flaw and her biggest inner desires, something that stays constant throughout the series. This puts a seed in Percy to think about his own fatal flaw.
I love how Uncle Rick portrayed Percy and Tyson's relationship. Percy, in the beginning, was not as keen to the idea of a "monster" being his half brother. In fact, he would tell people that he is not his brother, which to me, that's pretty harsh. It takes him a few life saving moments, as well as losing Tyson in an explosion, for him to truly appreciated Tyson as a brother. And to have Polyphemus as the main boss fight, Percy is conflicted in "killing" the cyclops because of his newfound love of his brother.
Overall:
Rating: Middle School
Length: 279 pgs
Genre: Action, Adventure, Mythology
Written By: Rick Riordan
REYNAAAA (me at Circe's Island)
The Titan's Curse (2007)
I CANNOT EXPRESS HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS BOOK
First off, THE DI ANGELO SIBLINGS
This book is all about Percy's fatal flaw, something set up in the Sea of Monsters. He is loyal to the people close to him, and when Annabeth is taken, he goes to save her, just like he did with his mother in the first book. It is what drives him. Not Artemis. Not revenge on Luke. ANNABETH.
I cried a total of 3 times in this book. 1: when Bianca Died. It was a moment of guilt for her, for leaving her brother to join the Hunt. She felt obligated to say sorry, in form of the statuette. 2: When Zoe dies. She exiled from her home after trying to trust a hero that betrays her. This time, her life is taken after trusting more heroes, but this time, they come through. They acknowledge Zoe. And she dies happy why aM I CRYING AGAIN NOOO. 3: Percy confronting Nico. Percy had promised him a safe home at camp. Yet, he couldn't keep his promise in keeping Bianca safe. THE GUILT
Overall:
Rating: Middle School
Length: 320 pgs
Genre: Action, Adventure, Mythology
This dam book
The Battle of the Labyrinth (2008)
To be honest, I forgot what happened in this book.
Like traveling through the mysterious labyrinth, there was so many things that happened that it was hard to keep track of. They go to Alcatraz, to Texas, Calypso's island? He crashes his own funeral. The save Nico at Texas.
Speaking of Nico. I think his change is the biggest in this book. He had thrusted his hate on Percy for his sister's death. It takes Percy for him to finally summon his sister, for her to finally talk to him. Nico's fatal flaw of holding a grudge. He had to learn quickly how to forgive, to forgive her sister for going off with the Hunt.
Percy also really finds what it means to be the son of Poseidon. After encountering another, who had killed many in the name of Poseidon, Percy learns so much about what it means to have the sea within him.
Overall:
Rating: Middle School
Length: 361 pgs
Genre: Action, Adventure, Mythology
Written By: Rick Riordan
The iconic blue hairbrush throw
The Last Olympian (2009)
Home. Hestia. At the hearth is where hope will be. Because at the end of the day, family is hope. I cannot stress enough how much the title of the book fits so well with the theme of this book. With the fact that there were so many times Percy felt hopeless in winning, his family came to save the day. Once with Chiron and the Party ponies. Another time with Nico flanked with not one but three gods. Lastly, convincing Poseidon that saving Olympus was more important than is own kingdom. It all stems to Family. Hestia. The Last Olympian.
Achilles played a huge role in this book too. The Ares campers, whose fatal flaw is their honor, refuses to fight after Apollo campers take the flying chariot. Silena, who had been through so much, losing her love, being threatened to have everything taken from her if she stopped being the spy, does the most courageous thing ever. She dresses up as Clarisse, and fights with so much conviction, she fools the other Ares campers. This was her last chance to do good. She has nothing left to lose.
History relays itself, as Prometheus says. Clarisse being Achilles' stubbornness. Beckendorf being the lost loved one. Silena fighting for love, like Patroclus did. (screams in Trojan)
Finally, Percy turning down immortality for the sake of family. Throughout the series, he sees both sides. The gods not understanding how to acknowledge their children without breaking ancient laws. Minor gods not even caring about claiming them because there was not safe space at camp for them, such as Ethan Nakamura. Nico and Hades feeling left out constantly. Percy strives to change all that with his wish. And to top it all off, with Nico being a hero and all, the curse is lifted and Rachel becomes the new Oracle.
There's also the birth of Percabeth but that's not important. LOL PSYCH HAIL THE GREATEST SHIP EVER BUILT
Overall:
Rating: Middle School
Length: 381 pgs
Genre: Action, Adventure, Mythology
Written By: Rick Riordan
"Hope survives best at the hearth"