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!

Joint Review: System Collapse by Martha Wells

Hello all! We will be discussing "System Collapse" by Martha Wells. Blodeuedd is in red and Carole is in blue.

Author: Martha Wells

Narrator: Kevin R. Free

Title: System Collapse

Series: The Murderbot Diaries #7

Genre: SciFi, Fantasy
Published: November 13, 2023

Pages: 245

Summary:

Am I making it worse? I think I'm making it worse.

Everyone's favorite lethal SecUnit is back.

Following the events in Network Effect, the Barish-Estranza corporation has sent rescue ships to a newly-colonized planet in peril, as well as additional SecUnits. But if there’s an ethical corporation out there, Murderbot has yet to find it, and if Barish-Estranza can’t have the planet, they’re sure as hell not leaving without something. If that something just happens to be an entire colony of humans, well, a free workforce is a decent runner-up prize.

But there’s something wrong with Murderbot; it isn’t running within normal operational parameters. ART’s crew and the humans from Preservation are doing everything they can to protect the colonists, but with Barish-Estranza’s SecUnit-heavy persuasion teams, they’re going to have to hope Murderbot figures out what’s wrong with itself, and fast.

Yeah, this plan is... not going to work.

Discussion:

I am here and ready to [redacted]. ;)

Let´s get started. Murderbot time.

Yayy! I’m glad we decided to give Murderbot another chance. I know there were a couple of meh ones. 

For me they were so hard to get, so I seemed to have given up. But I did audio now and caught up with book 6 so we could get to 7. And I do like Murderbot. Though to be honest I preferred the 6 novella over this one.

LOL I thought I had read 6 but certainly didn’t. I went back and had to re-read that too. Honestly….I feel the novellas are better. 6 was so much better. Don’t get me wrong…I did enjoy 7, but not as much as the last one. 

Yes, i feel that Murderbot works better in smaller versions. Because there we get more Murderbot. But in the longer ones there are more people and I am meh about the rest of the gang

Yeaah. I’m actually starting to like the human part of the gangs a lil bit BUT I do love seeing just Murderbot and ART. 

I do care more about the non-humans. The rest are good, but they are just there.

I do fear they will betray Murderbot eventually or ART….because they are JUST bots. And I’m sure they may feel justified because it will save a fellow human. I am worried. Hopefully, I’m wrong and they do care about Murderbot and ART………..

Nooo, do not say that. That would be so sad :/

I hope I’m wrong but I have a bad feeling. LOL. I just want Murderbot and ART to be happy and be useful forever. 

They def need to be happy. I could be fine with Murderbot solving crimes, oh like a TV show, lol. Murderbot does love shows. And around people who are not all judgey. Stupid humans. But then again who would not be afraid.

That would be cute!! Which I just love the fact he loves our entertainment. He’s so adorable. 

But the book itself then? I liked it, but I had a hard time focus for some reason this time.

It did take a long time and a lot of build up. The first half I struggled but things got better around the halfway mark. I loved the scene with Murderbot and the humans working together on that….project? Yes, we’ll say the project to avoid spoilers. It was a unique scene and way to handle things. 

I think that for me it would have been better to read this one, the novella worked well in audio, but this one, even if not long. My mind drifted somewhat. Sci.fi is hard in audio. Lots of tech talk.

TBH I might start reading more instead of audio. Don’t get me wrong…the narrator is great….but I think SciFi is easier to read. 

Sci fi can be hard to read, but in audio it is worse. Yeah def reading next time. The voice of the narrator was so weird to hear too. Like not at all how I pictured Murderbot . 

I’ve done some of the story with the narrator and he’s good, but not the Murderbot I hear in my head. 

Sorry, but not my Murderbot. Funny how that works.

Agreed. So I’ve done some in ebook and some in audio…I think going forward I may stick to the ebook. 

There are sure to be more, so I will stick to that too.

There better be more!!!!!!! The way everything was left….there are so many questions I have. 

Maybe a novella, and then a book again?

That seems to be the formula. I hope for a novella. 

Same :) 

But yes. I did enjoy this. The beginning was rough to get into, but I am excited for more. 

I liked it, but I liked the novella more. And I look forward to more

Agreed! Love you Murderbot and ART!!!!

The end?

Yesss ma’am!

About the Authors

Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging for a long while now. For the last few years the epic duo has been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.

Saturday Movie: Christmas as Usual (2023)

This month we decided to review 'Christmas as Usual'. 

Blodeuedd is in red and Carole is in green. BE WARNED! There are mini baby spoilers sprinkled throughout our chatting. 

Title: Christmas as Usual (Så var det jul igjen)

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Released: 2023

Rating: TV-14

Site: Netflix 


Thea is going to her rural hometown to celebrate a classic Norwegian Christmas with her family, but this year she's bringing along Jashan, her Indian boyfriend, which will put everyone's preconceived beliefs and traditions on their heads.

Click here for the trailer. 

DISCUSSION:

Yayy Xmas movie!!!!

I have been watching a few ;) Gotta get some in before the big day

I’ll be honest….that was the only one I have watched this year. I have been baaaaad. 

What! Carole, that is crazy! I am watching one right now!

I’ve only read like 3 or 4 books too. That is sooooo weird for me. I guess I’m not feeling the Xmas joy, BUT that movie did make me want to watch more.

I hear you, it´s hard getting into the spirit of things. But ok, we chose a Norwegian xmas movie, let´s do it

I’m excited for this one. It is a different take on Xmas and a different location than what we are used to. Normally these Xmas movies take place in the US or UK. Soo I was excited for a fresh setting. 

Well for me it was more like my backyard, but it was fun not for it to be a US or Uk setting ;D

Yes. It was nice. 

But honestly, I am all with Jashan on this one, damn it, Xmas cult people!

Yes. I am for sure with Jashan. The only thing I was cringe about him was when he was pretty much SCREAMING outside on the phone. Like, dude! But other than that? Eeesh. I’m surprised he would want to stay. I would want to leave like day 1. After thinking about it….I do understand why they wanted to keep Xmas precisely the same. They were still grieving the dad. 

Yes, I get it, but everyone was walking on eggshells and it was doomed to all fall apart. And yes Jashan screaming on the phone was beyond cringe. But poor guy, why was everyone so weird about him being from India? Like omg there are actually people in Norway that are not blonde and Norwegian. It was like they had never seen anyone else in their life. And why did she not want to tell anyone about them getting married? I just did not get it

It really was weird. The little girl didn’t care at all. Are they super remote and never travel to the city? The mom had it stuck in her head SO bad that she wanted her daughter to date the neighbor. I was stunned by them being stunned he was Indian. 

I was stunned by that too! And I think they said Telemark so that is in the south. Pretty sure when she went to the airport she went to Oslo. So nope not even in the middle of anywhere. Close to the capital instead. Also, I really disliked…omg I even forgot her name! Like how they went skiing, poor guy, poor guy! Either you let him stay home or you take that poor guy for like a 30-min ski trip. Not on a day trip

For real. I have never skied personally so I could only imagine his pain AND he was so nice. I would’ve been pissed. He was just so nice and they treated him like crap. The sister-in-law and little girl were the nicest to him. They seemed to actually try. 

When I said 30 min that is just him trying to like stand, lol, so yes this blew my mind that they made a newbie go on a freaking hour-long trip. Skiing is hard for the muscles. The other traditions, well those I understood. Church, sure, not that I would go, but I guess they are more traditional in their atheism. Church is surely nice on xmas. 

I’m glad they didn’t get mad about the dinner. Gah. Jashan deserves all the love. I’m glad they all did the big gesture at the end because they all did him so dirty. 

I would have loved to taste that dinner. That I did get, how would we even get real Indian cuisine? It is all very fake. Like here if you want Chinese food, then the restaurant might actually be owned by someone who is Thai. He did diss our poor food that has no taste though. Lol

To be fair…I think he was pretty much done at that moment and super hurt. I think it was after the skiing and church scenes. Ooooo and her lies about the ex? Oof. Again, if I was Jashan I would’ve just feigned being sick or something. IDK. So awkward. BUT the ending was worth it. They all seemed to have talked and opened their hearts. I hope they make a second movie. I want to see them all go to India next ;) 

I did not get the mum there. Ok so they had shot glasses, but she was all no no?! And of course, it will go to the guy´s head. That´s like vodka there.

And why didn´t she just say he was her ex? She really was the problem all along. If she had just said it at the beginning then things would have gone more smoothly. I think the mum would have tried then too.

Honestly…all the problems were because of her. She didn’t tell anyone anything. She didn’t communicate. Maybe give Jashan a heads-up about the neighbor who’s an ex. Tell her mom and brother that Jashan is Indian. Tell Jashan some of the traditions AHEAD of time. That is what I would’ve done. She just stayed mum. I don’t get why she was so scared? I feel like the wedding is going to be a hot mess because she won’t stand up for herself or for the people she loves. 

I mean isn´t that one of the most important things you tell when you have met someone. Who he is, where is he from, job blah blah. To leave it out was pretty weird by her like she was ashamed. And then support the guy! The mother did not seem like a monster, dunno why the SIL was so scared too. Wearing things she does not want, and eating things she does not like. Hell, when I met my SO and moved forward, oh they know I do not like fish ;) Small things, not gonna fake loving that for the rest of my life.

No one in that family wanted to talk. I feel like the Dad was the only one that forced them to talk. Once he was gone….they just all bowed down to Mom to not upset her. Very strange family so no wonder why the girl was weird (why am I blanking on her name?) *Googles* THEA!! There it is. But yes, so freaking strange. I told my parents all about not only my partners I would bring home but my friends. That is just what you do. So weird.

Communication. It is important. I get that some families have a hard time with that, but come on. You took him home to Norway. They would assume it is a serious relationship then. It was not like she was one town over. Plane tickets cost money!

Yeaaaaaaaah. So this isn’t a feel-good Xmas movie. It actually has some depth and I can’t complain. Yes, there is a HEA, buut it wasn’t an easy journey…especially for poor Jashan. 

Still feeling the whole Xmas cult over it. Dressing up in bunad. Doing everything on the exact day. It could have been a horror movie. Think about it.

Yes, it was weird and very cult-like. Like really? You can’t change ANYTHING up for the newbie? The look of horror on her face when he made Indian food for Little Christmas (or whatever it was called) was like he murdered the neighbor. 

See my first thought was omg he has been using the food especially for xmas! But nah, it was just that they had to have their special dish on a special day. Weirdos

For real. I would’ve been mad that he used the food I needed, but that wasn’t the case. They were nice to “try” it but damn the dramatics of the spice was too much. I’m sure it wasn’t THAT spicy. I don’t think he would try and kill them. 

Like they never had spicy food before? We have all have had spicy food, I def know that water does not help. But I guess they do not know

It felt like they went back in time. Hahaha. Weird family man. I’m curious to see if they do a second movie….I want to watch that disaster too!

I am more stuck on this being a horror movie, they are saving him for the annual Xmas slaughter! Omg, that would have made so much sense!

But a 2nd would be fun

Hahahaha sacrifice him to the Christmas gods. 

We used to do that in the olden days. 

See? Thea is a time-traveler and Jashan is her next victim. 

All hail Oden and Thor. Here is the sacrifice for Yule. Then they eat his heart. Gory. And wait for the next year and who they will take now. No wonder the SIL was scared. She could be next!

That’s why the SIL keeps getting preggo. Hahahaha

Makes sense! Pretty sure the ex is the one killing the victims too. Pretty sketchy guy

DUDE thank you for bringing it up. He was creepy…esp when he was acting as Santa. 

Come sit on my lap! No, no man not cool. And everyone was all do it. No. 

If that was my partner sitting on their ex’s lap….I would’ve yeeted that ex out the window. Poor Jashan. 

The ex had it coming.

FOR real. 

Ok. I did like the movie, even in its absurdity. It would have made more sense if it was set like 40 years or something. But it was also based on a true story so I guess Norwegians are just pretty weird.

Maybe it is just this family. Like the SIL was normal-ish. She actually tried. IDK. Some people are weird and closed-minded so I guess even the absurdity can happen in our modern times? 

So true. Close-minded people and racists are everywhere. But I would have liked more of a cultural clash movie. Like him being all you guys are weird, and then they all tried to get along. Instead of this…whatever it was.

But I’m with you. I liked the movie. Slightly a mess with the cult, but it does have a good meaning. Be freakin’ nice and welcoming darnit!

And do not be a Thea! Hold on to the one you love and stand by them

Yes. Be open. Be nice. TALK. 

The end?

Yesss,  the end. Happy holidays!! Until 2024!

Joint Review: Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare

Hello all! We will be discussing "Do You Want to Start a Scandal" by Tessa Dare. Blodeuedd is in red and Carole is in purple.

Author: Tessa Dare

Title: Do You Want to Start a Scandal

Series: Castles Ever After #4

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: September 27, 2016

Pages: 272

Summary:

On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library.

• Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan?

• Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall?

• Perhaps the butler did it.

All Charlotte Highwood knows is this: it wasn’t her. But rumors to the contrary are buzzing. Unless she can discover the lovers’ true identity, she’ll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville—the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she’s ever had the misfortune to embrace. When it comes to emotion, the man hasn’t got a clue.

But as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own. The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit... and melt a woman’s knees with a single kiss. The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotte’s safety is the truth about his dark past.

Their passion is intense. The danger is real. Soon Charlotte’s feeling torn. Will she risk all to prove her innocence? Or surrender it to a man who’s sworn to never love?

Discussion:

I have been reading Dare for so many years, and she is always fun 🙂

I’ve read some. She is fun! And I like that I could skip to this one. I think I’m missing a book or two of the series but it did well as a standalone which is always nice. 

I just took a look again, and it is Spindle Cove nr 5, but! Castles nr 4! No wonder it works like a stand alone. And yes I have read some here and there. At the moment I am reading a book where Charlotte is 14

Awwwwww I do plan on backtracking. This was fun and I want to see the others fall in love. 

I am going to do Spindle Cove the missing ones :D I fear September will be a Dare month, but that is good.

I’m beginning to feel that too. I crave more of her books! :D 

I liked this one cos omg that beginning. I had to hide my face in laughter and giggled as I was out walking

This was very funny!!!!! Especially with the aubergine! LOLLLLL

It was just the perfect mix of funny and cute

It really was. The drama was there but it didn’t take too long to fix. I loved this couple. 

I kept trying to solve the mystery too, but I honestly suck at solving mysteries

There wasn’t much given to solve it. I think the author did it on purpose. The solution had me rolling in laughter.

It was a tricky one! 

Cute couple, good times, I even liked her mother. Sure, meddling for sure, but she wanted the best. The one I could not stand was her besties sister, ugh!

Oooh that friend Frances or something another. She can rot for all I care. She was mean and terrible. I GET that she was looking out for her sister, but was she? I think she was just jealous of Charlotte. 

I did like Edmund? Though. Omg honestly all the times he was shouting murderer made me lol

Bless him. That little boy just wanted to solve the murder so bad. A part of me thought maybe he wasn’t wrong. Hahahahaha. 

I think he will solve crimes when he grows up!

Awww I hope so. Maybe we’ll get a book for him ;) Maybe Piers will take the lad under his wings.

I could see that in the future. I really do not have a lot to say about this book cos I was amused all the way through. Def read it, listen to it, and do not give one thought which order it is in.

I’m sure the audio is a lot of fun. I did the ebook and I enjoyed it immensely!! I bet the audio is fun ;) But yes, this was a gem. It was funny, had heart, and a great cast of characters. 

Awesome narration. Nothing to complain about there

Love that! Maybe I’ll try and see if my library has the audio for one of the others of the series. I do plan on reading the others. Maybe, like you said, this might end up being the month of Dare. Darempter. Hehe

I have a mix of things coming up, spindle cover and castle ever after. Good times ;D Oh and one from a series that I loved, but I never read one of the books. Gotta catch them all

Hahahahaha I choose you Dare!

I dare you to Dare

Yessss!!!!! The end?

The end

About the Authors

Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging for a long while now. For the last few years the epic duo has been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.

Not-so-Saturday TV Show Review: Never Have I Ever (s4)

This month we decided to review 'Never Have I Ever' season 4. 

Blodeuedd is in blue and Carole is in pink.

Title: Never Have I Ever (season 4)

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Released: 2023

Rating: TV-14

Site: Netflix 


The complicated life of a first-generation Indian-American teenage girl.

Click here for the trailer. 

DISCUSSION:

I do admit that my recollection might be hazy ;)

I knowwww I’m sorry I took forever to finally finish it. Adulting is dumb *shakes fist*

I do know about that, it took me 4 months to finally start Queen Charlotte. Though I did binge Never have I ever, cos last season!

Once I got through the second episode….I couldn’t stop. UGH the feelings! The drama! The humor. Who allowed that Granny to become my favorite character??? She is hilarious!

Granny brings all the feels, I like that she had a story in this one. Go Granny!

Yesss! She grew so much from the last season. She has loosened up and is taking America by storm! 

I do like how it makes me cringe too, cos omg the trouble she gets in. It is such a fun show. Together with all the sides, like Granny obvi lol

Ooooo Davi. I adore her but OH the cringe hit hard sometimes. WHICH they are teens so the cringe seemed real. Just thinking about the things I said and did at that age….*shudder*

Still, Davi, omg, she truly is the queen of messes. I love her for it, but yikes. But it does feel real, she just wants things so much

That final episode when she wrote that essay? I literally sobbed. That whole scene was perfection. 

True, she finally, finally got it.

Yesssss! It took seasons upon seasons but she finally got it. Her therapist had the patience of a god!

I am sad it is over but at the same time. It is college time and it would not be the same

The ending hinted that maybe there will be more? But I think how it ended was great. Maybe a quick one-long episode of “where are they now” would be fun….but idk sometimes it is best to end on a good note. We can all assume what will happen or what we want to happen. HEA for all. Friends forever. Maybe Davi will have a sibling….hehe….and Granny will live forever. 

I forgot about that, hmm, I mean I am not against it! I´d love to see everyone more settled…now you got me all excited again

I actually wouldn’t mind re-watching it. I may try and get the Hubby to watch it too. He’s so weird though on what he’ll watch. He always surprises me. Like he adores Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte. Typically that isn’t his type of show. 

My guy does not like these shows either, and nope on Bridgerton too. Though he always managed to come inside when Queen C was on and in a naughty scene, I am not kidding. I am always the one watching naughty scenes alone then lol. I think these kind of shows are just too dull for him. He does not know what he is missing. They are fun, and cringe, and makes you think back. Not Queen C though obvi, I am not that old.

Men usually don’t like the feely-feely shows. I tried to get him to watch Heartstopper and he was nearly passing out so I watched it without him. Maybe it is the naughty scenes in B and Queen C he likes ;) He also loves Lady Danbury. But anyway…yeah - I am tempted to re-watch this one now that everything is said and done. Can I be honest???? I will block this out for spoilers….I wasn’t that keen on her ending up with Ben. I still had hope for Paxton. :/ 

Spoil away, and I agree, I felt for them. But she did mess it up. Dunno where I stand in the end.

I like Ben, don’t get me wrong….but I think they won’t last long. I feel like they will struggle and fight ALL the time. Super toxic household for sure if they have babies. 

They will be over before College ends

Agreed. Maybe I’ll get my wish after some years. Davi and the person I mentioned…maybe they will grow up and try again. #dreamer

I think so too ;)

Now I am itching to re-watch hahahahaha. 

From the start!

Yessss! OH! I do have a single issue I just remembered…I wish Aneesa had more screentime. She had like 2 lines the whole season!!! I missed her. Like…what happened to her? Where did she go? ANSWERS NETFLIX ANSWERS!!!

True, she was not in it a lot…maybe we need that new season or a movie

Now I really want one. I get she ended up just being a side character, but she was their friend. I feel like she got no love this season. A little 10 sec blurb would’ve been nice. 

Maybe they wanted to wrap things up

Maybe. And maybe the actress had zero time or something. She was talented that is for sure. 

Might be on another project for sure. Anyway, I do not have a lot more to say. Awesome series, fun new season. Def watch this series, it is so funny.

Agreed. This was such a fun show. I for sure recommend it. :D Laughs, tears, cringe….fun. 

The end?

‘Till next time!!!