Monday, March 18

Not-So Saturday Movie Night: Damsel (2024)




This month we decided to review 'Damsel'. 


Blodeuedd is in purple and Carole is in red.



Title: Damsel
Genre: Action/Adventure, Fantasy
Released: 2024
Rating: PG-14
Site: Netflix 


A dutiful damsel agrees to marry a handsome prince, only to find the royal family has recruited her as a sacrifice to repay an ancient debt.


Click here for the trailer. 






DISCUSSION:

Movie review time!


Yayy! Movie!!! 


I wanted to watch this because it looked pretty awesome, and it was pretty kick-ass. She was certainly no damsel in distress.


Agreed! I wanted to watch this because it looked badass and a twist on the atypical story. I also wanted to learn the WHYS and HOWS. I’m glad we watched it. 


Of course I knew something bad is coming, hello trailer, but it is really bad isn¨t it. Like wtf those people!!??


THOSE PEOPLE! OMG!!! Especially when we learn….more….and the truth. No spoilers from me, but damn. 


You all effing disgust me! It was a lot. But it made for a good storyline as she learns more.


For real. And I was so mad at the dad for a while there. Ugh. Why are people so greedy???


I was mad too, but at the same time I understood. His kingdom and people were dying. Dunno what much help money will do though, it is obvi pretty bad there.


Yess, the money doesn’t seem that helpful at the end of the day. They literally need to move or something. The area is R.O.U.G.H. 


I kind of wanted to know why that was? Everything should suffer. I am thinking Volcano? Or little ice age for it to look that bad. But then here comes a green paradise


Yes….I feel like they should’ve showed us WHY it was so rough. Bad winter(s)? And I also wanted more in the end. I feel like we needed to see more. 


We will never know….


Sadly not. I can’t imagine a 2nd movie. Not sure where they can go with the whole thing. Unless they do something with the sister. Or if Elodie is THAT unlucky and finds herself in a whole different wild situation. 


I am good with no more. It was a good movie, and it ended. More would be…tricky. I do not want to see Elodie getting unlucky again. Then they are surely cursed. Oh and I will try to say this without spoilers. So at the end the island is just left…like who. And they just can. Dunno if you know what I am getting at. Turmoil people, turmoil!


Same. I’m fine with it being one movie. Elodie is a gem and doesn’t need more struggles. Same with that surprise/twist character. Eeeee. Okay. I need to spoil….[SPOILER ALERT] I wonder if Elodie is going back to their home to bring them back to this land? I mean…it is empty now. Unless the land will go to being poopy because they won’t have the dragon’s heat keeping everything like paradise? [END OF SPOILER]

Ooo! There is a book FYI. I wonder if we could get more answers LOL.


I was also worried near the end, I wanted the story to happen in a certain way, and it did! But I was wondering there for a moment


TBH…I had no idea how it was going to end. SO many twists and turns. When we learned a certain fact, I had an idea in mind…and I’m glad I was right but OMG I was worried!!!



Make it happen any other way and I would have been maaaad! A really good ending. Hahaha


Yes, a good ending even though we needed more answers. 



I honestly do not have a lot more to say, it would be all spoilers. Def worth watching.


It’s so stinkin’ hard to not give away more spoilers than I already did. Hahahaha. This was a nice watch. Fun, action-y, and loads of twists.


The end?


The end! ‘Til next time!


Friday, March 15

Audiobook Review: Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper


Author: Molly Harper
Narrator: Amanda Ronconi, Teddy Hamilton
Title: Witches Get Stuff Done
Series: Starfall Point #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
Published: September 5, 2023
Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 
Juggling newfound witchy powers, a house full of ghosts, and verbal battles with the handsome local librarian is almost too much for a new witch to manage. A new witch with a coven, however, can get so much more done...

From the moment Riley Everett set foot in Starfall Point, magic bubbled inside of her. But with only her late aunt's journals and a cantankerous live-in ghost butler to instruct her on all things witchy—including her newly inherited Victorian haunted house—Riley seeks out a coven for sisterhood and support. The last person she expects to be drawn to is the town's frustrating, yet ridiculously attractive head librarian.

Edison Held knows almost everything there is to know about Starfall Point, but Shaddow House was always off-limits, thanks to its elusive owner. If he can convince the new owner, Riley, to let him take a peek inside, there's so much he could learn. But as he gets closer to Riley, he's fascinated by her dazzling wit and fiery spirit. Edison will do whatever he can to help Riley keep her family legacy alive, especially if it means spending more time with the captivating new witch in town.



Review:
I knew I had to get my hands on this. Witches, Ghosts, Molly Harper, and Michigan????? YAS. 

Here we follow Riley and Edison. Riley finds herself inheriting a very haunted Victorian house after her Aunt passes away. Riley has these new powers and new responsibilities with only her aunt's journals and a cranky ghost butler to help her on this new journey. And there is that frustrating but ridiculously attractive head librarian....Edison. Edison hopes he can convince the new owner of the Shaddow House to let him take a peek inside the mysterious house. 

This was simply adorable. I loved, loved, loved this story. Maybe I'm biased since it is set in Michigan and it made me giggle whenever a Michigan reference was given. eeee. Plus...Molly Harper is always fun.

Loved our characters. Edison is a sweetie. Riley is a gem. Her two new friends? Loved them too and I can't wait to read Caroline's book which is next in the series. Awwww and that butler was adorably grumpy and fatherly. Cute. Now....my only issue was how quickly Caroline was onboard with everything. At least Edison fainted! Caroline was oddly....okay. Did seem realistic. Granted, magic is involved but still. Too quick. 

The narrators are always fun. We have two narrators here. One for Riley's POV and one for Edison's. His voices for girls are always just okay, but he has such a deep voice so it's hard I'm sure. Her voices are always good. I wish she changed up her female voices a bit more. 

All-in-all, so much fun. This was adorable. Fun setting, fun characters, fun concept. And that house is amazing even with ALL the ghosts. Can't wait for book 2! In the end, I'll give this 4 stars. 











Challenge(s):
- Audiobook #14
- Romance Reading Challenge #10 (Witch/Warlock) 

Thursday, March 14

All Pride & Prejudice....All the time....Carole's Top 5

Soooo I recently went on a Pride & Prejudice bender. I watched all the ones I could get my hands on. Ones I couldn't, I watched some clips so I could remember which was which and etc. I haven't done a P&P movie marathon since I was a wee little thing. 

Now, I love all of them. They all have their own sparkle and shine, but here is my list! (Please note - I am not counting any adaptions that are put in modern times or weird situations like P&P Zombies...which I still need to watch that someday)

5. Pride And Prejudice (1980)



Sadly, I placed this one here. I struggled with watching this back in the day. Not sure if I even finished it or did I just forget? Who knows. I recently just watched some clips to try and spark my memory. 

I will admit that I remember this being very, very close to the book. I did some reading and people agree that this is the closet to the books. But omg....so 80s. The acting is okay. The cast is okay.

Maybe someday I'll track down the full version to re-watch. Maybe being older I will like this better. 

4. Pride and Prejudice (1967)


I didn't watch this until probably 2012 or 2013. It was one that was hard to locate since it never made it to home video. I barely remember this one and, to my delight, I was able to find all the episodes on YouTube. 

I did really like this and it gives play feels. Simple transitions and simple backgrounds. I enjoyed the Lizzie and Darcy. However, I struggled to like the Mr. Bingley. He seemed to be missing that easy charm. I am bummed they cut one of the sisters, Mary. Boo. She is my third favorite Bennet sister. 

Oooo I did love the fact we got to see more of the Bingleys and their POVs. That was nice.

Very fun and very old school. Def worth a watch. However, I will place this in 4th place. 

3. Pride and Prejudice (1995)




I'm sure I'll get a lot of slack for this one being lower on the list. This seems to be a favorite amongst the community. 

I adore the Darcy here, but he isn't my favorite Darcy amongst all four of these fellas. The cast is amazing and they all do a great job. However, I struggle with the Lizzie here. She seems...bored (?) for the majority of the film. It's hard to pinpoint, but she just doesn't feel like Lizzie-esque to me. I'm sure there is a riot outside my window with this opinion. *hides in the basement*

The costumes are great and I loved the music in this one. I did like that it is pretty faithful to the original story so bonus points there. 

2. Pride And Prejudice (1940)


Another controversial placement! Many put this much lower on the list, but this was my first P&P movie so it holds a special place in my heart. It is under-appreciated! 

Love, love, love the Darcy and Lizzie. This Lizzie is my 2nd favorite and this Darcy takes first place in my heart. I love them. I love the cast. Darcy's 2nd proposal at the end always makes my heart thump. Awwwwww. *swoons*

This is def 1940s vibe, so be warned. I would LOVE to see this colored so I can enjoy the costumes and etc more. 

1. Pride And Prejudice (2005)



Annnnnnnnnnd number 1 is this version. I can watch this over and over and over again. I watched this twice in March. The cast is amazing. The script fun. The costumes fun. The scenes....beautiful. I loved it all. Simply the best of the best in my opinion. 

The Darcy is my 2nd favorite and the Lizzie my first favorite. They have great chemistry. Whenever they are scene together you can feel the chemistry...the hate...the desire....the misunderstanding. All beautifully done. 

So yes, I can gush on this version all day. Def my favorite. 


~~~~*~~~~


Which of the P&Ps are your faves? 


Wednesday, March 13

Audiobook Review: Threads of Magic by Monica Fairview


Author: Monica Fairview
Narrator: Jennifer M. Dixon
Title: Threads of Magic
Series: Mr. Darcy's Magic #2
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Romance, P&P Variation, Retellings
Format: Audiobook
Published: January 25, 2022
Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 
In a magical Regency England, two powerful magicians strive to find a balance between love and duty as they confront enemies who might well be their closest friends.

Elizabeth Bennet may be a heroine, but by defying some of the most powerful mages in England, she has made enemies who will stop at nothing to embroil her in scandal.

So when she is accused of endangering the Royal Mages through her reckless actions, she no longer knows who to trust. Even the gentleman she loves is taking their side. It seems the only person who believes her is the captive French mage who is imprisoned in the cellar at Netherfield.

Meanwhile, Fitzwilliam Darcy is willing to fight to the death to defend Elizabeth, if only she would stop getting herself into trouble. Why does she always have to break the rules? And why does even her sister Jane cause him so many problems?

Join us in this magical Jane Austen Regency variation. Set mostly in Meryton, with familiar beloved characters from Pride and Prejudice, you will once again be captivated by Elizabeth and Darcy as they struggle to find true love against the backdrop of England’s war with Napoleon.




Review:
This is book 2 of the series. Finally decided to jump in. 

We continue with Lizzie and Darcy. They survived the last battle but the war keeps going on. Lizzie and Darcy are trying to balance duty and their love. They are partners mages, but also a married couple. When events happen, Lizzie finds herself being blamed for them. Rumors spread and now very few people trust her. She will have to try and figure out how to find out the truth before her enemies finally destroy her for good. 

I wanted to slap everyone (except for Lizzie and dear Jane)!!!!!!!!!! I especially wanted to kick Darcy in the face. JUST communicate. TALK TO LIZZIE DARN YOU!

I felt very frustrated with this one. I truly don't understand why everyone blamed her so easily. Damn rich folks. Even though she saved all of them in the last battle and she is a wonderful mage, they still look down their noses at her. Damn aholes. 

Hopefully with the conclusion of this one everyone will stop jumping on the Blame-Lizzie Train. We'll see how book 3 goes. Yes, I plan on reading the next one. 

OOooOO! Jane is here! I loved getting to see her more. She, and the rest of the Bennetts, were barely seen in book 1 so it was lovely to finally see Jane and Bingley start falling for each other (no spoiler here...we all know they are soulmates). 

The narrator was good. I really enjoyed her voices. I hope she does the third book.

All-in-all, I didn't like this one nearly as much as book 1. I found myself SO annoyed SO many times. Yes, I get why Lizzie might be slightly sus, but Darcy should've communicated and talked to her. It's like all his character growth from book 1 went away for a while. Yes, he finally opens his eyes, but I wanted to kick him. I hope book 3 is way better and not so Blame-Lizzie-for-everything-damn-the-proof. I'll give this 3 stars. It would've been 2 stars, but with Jane and Bingley finally meeting....and the last scene at the Ball....I was content.

One Word Summary: Frustrating







Challenge(s):
- Audiobook #13
- Romance Reading Challenge #9 (Blue dress on cover)