Best of January

Hello all to 2018 (just in case some people were not aware of the year change)! We shall continue our monthly award giving meme to the best ofs!

Here is our best of January. 

First, favorite movie:

My choice is......Star Wars The Last Jedi

"Had a couple really good ones, but nothing amazing this month for movies. I’ll have to say that ‘Star Wars the Last Jedi’ is the one for this month. I really enjoyed it. I personally think it was the best Star Wars movie I have seen to date. I’ve never been a huge fan. Just a passive one, so this really stuck with me. Plus it doesn’t hurt Kylo is a cutie LOL."

Blodeuedd's choice is...................Kubo and the two strings

"This one was so good and do not diss it just cos it is animated. Shame on you ;) Watch it!"

Next, Book favorite:

Up first is Blodeudd's pick............Cherish Hard by Nalini Singh

"Best book is harder. I read lots of good ones, but not a single amazing one. SO how to choose from equally good books? I will therefore choose the one with the best accents, Cherish hard by Nalini Singh.The narrators male voice was suberb."

Next, my choice..............The Tercentennial Baron by Will Damron

"I had a couple excellent ones this month. However, I think I’ll have to stick with this. It was an audiobook and I was so glued to the story. I didn’t want to stop listening! Such a good story. I loved the Baron the most. I WANT MORE!"

Lastly, cover (a new category for the new year)

My choice......

"This cover certainly stuck with me. It is a simple but beautiful in my opinion. The cover is what drew me in to give this short story a try."

Blodeuedd's choice...................

"Carole was talking about covers and I was all, I do not have an amazing one! So I will go with the cutest one, and the one that made me want to buy a dress"

About the Authors

Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging a long while now. The last couple of years the epic duo have 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.

Second Opinion - Movie Review: Star Wars The Last Jedi (2017)

Film Title: Star Wars - The Last Jedi
Length: 2 h 32 min
Released: 2017
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci.fi
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Watched at the theater


SUMMARY:
Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.

TRAILER:

Review:
Let me get out of the way and say this first….I am not a huge Star Wars fan. Not at all. I actually found the majority of the old movies boring. This is the first Star Wars film I watched from beginning until end. All the rest I have watched pieces here and there. Normally I would walk into the room with a friend or family member watching and I would watch from wherever they were until the end. So yes, not a huge fan here…so take that into mind before reading my review. 

I really, really liked this film. This wasn’t a cut-and-paste of one of the past movies and that made me happy. I know a lot of people worried and they kept their word. Sure there were a couple similar parts scattered throughout the movie. But it felt fresh overall. 

This was for sure lighter in a lot of ways compared to a lot of the past movies. However, there were some dark moments that kept it from being light and fun. There was a nice balance between light and fun and dark and serious. I also really enjoyed the little jokes throughout the movie. They made me smile and chuckle. Heck…even serious, sad Luke got a couple good moments. 

The biggest joy I found in the movie was Kylo Ren. I know I am getting a lot of “huhs” right now…but I enjoyed this character. I didn’t like him in the movie before this, but after learning about him some more…I realized he is one complex character. I felt he was very 2D in the last film, but this one the writers really did some magic and now he is one of the most complex characters I have seen in a while. The internal conflict he is having is tearing him apart. I loved it. Well…I feel bad and I reallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllly want him to come back to good side, but I enjoyed seeing him on screen battle himself, his enemies, and his feelings. Very good. On a shallower note…I think he is hot ;) 

Finn was better...Rose was a hoot and a nice edition...Rey is just Rey (a certain character is in lurve with her it makes me a hair jelly)....Holdo was annoying at first, but she turned into a badass at the end...Poe was cute and funny...Leia seems deflated and tired...Luke was annoying until the end...and the rest of the cast was just there. I did enjoy Kylo's commander because I feel like he is going to be a problem for Kylo later on. A character potential. 

The little creatures were cute. I liked the little puffin-seal things. I want one to stick by Chewie’s side. I know some people thought it was too much, but I adored all the cuteness. More darkness is always nice, but I felt there was a good balance in this one. I fear the next movie is going to get REALLY, REALLY dark so I will take this cuteness while I can. But yes...a little more blood is always good for the soul. 

There were some scenes and parts that made me sigh and roll my eyes. I can’t say WHAT precisely without giving out some spoilers. But some parts were indeed cheesy and not realistic. People will defend those parts, “BUT THE FORCE!” >_> meh is my reply to that.
I also hated the ending. Sure…I get what they did, but NO. Not cool. Well…it was cool, but the result was NOT OKAY! 

In the end, I am actually curious to watch the next film. I wouldn’t mind going to the theater to watch it again. Maybe this was the film to turn me into a super fan. Well…maybe not…I have no plans on rewatching past movies willingly. Haha. I shall give this…mhmmmm….4 stars. 

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Star Wars The Last Jedi

Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.

Director: Rian Johnson

Writers: Rian Johnson, George Lucas 

Stars: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill

2 h 32 min Action Adventure Sci.fi

My thoughts:

Yay, finally, more Star Wars and we got a babysitter so off we went.

I still do not really care for Rey, what? Ok she was not as bloody perfect as in movie 1, it was just too much Mary Sue there. But eh, she still does not have a personality.

Finn, eh, I do not care for him either. He is just there. Like a rock.

Poe, I love him! Haha, and I was glad he got a bigger part in this one and really showed what he was about. He has a well written part.

Luke, eh. Leia, eh. Holdo gets thumbs up. Rose too. I was a bit sad that Kylo was not as Emo but I still liked him.

Right, the movie was good but dang Disney. You have made it so cute! Cute little orphans *coughs slaves*, cute little animals Everything so cute! Just when I thought ok now it will get dark, it did not. That part could have used a death, just saying. Oh even those cute foxes, come on! So many cute things. This is war, give me some blood. But then it is Disney so.... nobody seems to bleed.

I do wonder where the next one will take us. I think a time jump of 10 years would work.

Oh oh, and god, please stop ripping off earlier movies.