What they say.......

It is said that all good things must come to an end. I believe ALL things, good, bad and sitting on the fence will come to an end! Today was the last day I was open for business at the video retail store I managed. I really loved that job. Today I had customers come in to thank me, say good bye and show general concern for my well being. I had several that called me and wished me well. I had friends come in just to hang out with me. I did let everyone know that I was staying optimistic and how much it meant to me that they came in or called. In truth I was overwhelmed with the well wishes and the love that poured out to me today. Instead of being a day of sadness and regret for what has happened to our video store I felt as though I received a blessing. I have always wanted to live in a small community where everyone knows each other and cares about each other. I felt that possibly this was that kind of place when I moved here almost 11 years ago. After today I feel as though I truly belong here!

I am going on vacation and am going to take my computer and when I can I will upload pictures and tell you about the places I am going. I will be leaving from Harrison AR going to WA state and back. There is a lot of our country between here and there! I am really excited to spend time with my parents. I will get to see family and have a nice leisurely trip across county with people I love. Of course I will miss my family here but I will return! (that is a promise and not a threat!)

Thank-you for making me feel like I am home and making me want to stay! Thank-you for making this a great day instead of a sorrowful one. I have a great community to belong to!

This blog will be a changing....

I know that I have not been on here for a while. I had so much going on and I really do throw myself into work, almost literally at times. (Ask Crystal about how I fly, on my face)I really had made my job a huge part of my life. We all know that at times our jobs are tedious and that there are things we have to do, don't want to do but do anyway. I loved my job in general. I though I had found my niche. It is now gone. They have decided to close my store. In about 4 week I will no longer be employed. Wow, it is incredible. I never thought that I would mourn the end of anything like I did this.

This means the movie reviews will not be often at all. I will not be watching as many and well, I have to drive to another town now to rent.

There us a silver lining. Always is for me. I can't keep my optimistic side from popping out. I will find a new niche, another place that I can carve out a living for myself and make a living. I know that there is more out there. I had thought for a while now that I needed to find something where I was not on my feet for so many hours at a time and now is a good time to do it. If another opportunity does not pop out at me as they always have seemed to in the past, I will spend more time on here until I find something.

I have had an addition to the family since I wrote last. My little Snorkie friend gave birth to a little Buster! He is adorable and has won a place in our hearts.

In June I will go on vacation with my folks and will blog when I can. We are driving to Washington State. It will be fun and I will share it with you all!

Until later folks this is all I have in me. I have been reading and will tell you about that. I have watched a few movies and will review them as well.

Divine by Mistake

(The first book in the Divine series)
(2006)
A novel by
P C Cast

Shannon Parker while on summer vacation is doing a little shopping. At an estate auction an antique vase seems to calls to her. After seemingly impossible odds the vase is joyfully hers. On her way home Shannon finds herself without logical explanation transported to Partholon, where she’s treated like a goddess. A very temperamental goddess…


I am trying to remember who told me that I needed to read books about mythical beings. I believe it is my youngest sister-in-law. She was right! If it was you Crystal, thank-you thank-you thank-you! If it was not you, then you should read this anyway!

I really enjoyed this book! I liked the teen books this author wrote and that is why I thought I would take a chance on this besides the recommendation about mythology. Shannon in this first book is a very humorous person and school teacher of a high school English class. She pretty well speaks her mind which in our world is fairly normal. But when you take this outspoken blond and put her in a world on the other side of reality you get a comical rendition of life in Partholan. She is the incarnate of a Goddess and finds her every wish anticipated. Sounds really cool! beautiful surroundings and fine food and finer wine! She fits in fairly good with this new life with a few.... well shall we call them challenges! The person she has changed places with is selfish, cruel and obeyed out of fear. She also is betrothed to a centour!

You will find this book a delight to read. I found myself laughing out loud several times. It is not for teens or children, definitely adult fiction. It is a great way to spend en evening in front of the fire. There is drama. There is adventure. There is laughter! Everything you need to be fully entertained. I became attached to the characters and found myself drawn into this mythical place where the unbelievable comes true! You will look forward to turning page after page!

I went and bought the second book right away! Maybe I should have gotten the third too!

At it Again!

Just a note to let you know I have started another series of books. I will put a review in a day or so when I finish the first one. Have you ever read a book that just tickles you? I have found one! My husband looked at me several times like I had lost my mind because in the quiet of our home I would start laughing aloud or chuckling. He found it hard to believe that I would be having that much fun. I must get back into it for a while before work but wanted to let you all know that all life has once again come to a stand still while I delve this time into the world of centaurs goddesses and shamans!

Life is great with Grandchildren!

I just had to tell you all that my youngest Grandchild is three. She is my Lacey Boo! Earlier this week she snuggled up to me and told me she really needed a "Grandma Day". So Thursday I picked her up from the day care and spend the day with her. It is the highlight of a Grandmother's life to see the Grandchild become such an individual. She is very shy when spoken to but was very out going with the waiter. She told him "You don't have hot dogs so I have to eat a corn dog please with tea and a lid on it. Don't give me tater tots because I wont eat them"! OMG! Then we went to a book store and got us each a new book. She thought I took too long to choose and chose for me!!! (I did not buy that). Then we went to a craft store and looked for a spacific bead that I want. Could not find it and that upset her. She was tearing up and when I asked what was wrong she told me while reaching a little hand up into mine that it was very sad that I could not have what I wanted. She was the sweetest thing! Until we picked up the older sister. Violet from school. Then we see the flip side of a whinny and uncooperative child! Violet was great and I guess Lacey figured I could not have both of them great at the same time! I would not trade my Grandma Days for all the tea in China!

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant

Starring: Ken Watanabe, John C. Reilly, Willem Dafoe

Director: Paul Weitz
Producer: Lauren Shuler-Donner
Producer: Paul Weitz
RELEASE DATE: 2/23/2010
Studio: Universal Studios
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Length: 109 Minutes

Based on the popular series of books by Darren Shan, this is a fantasy about a teenager, Darren unknowingly breaks a 200-year-old truce between the two different sets of vampires. Lured into the life of misunderstood creatures of the night, this teen will vanish from the safety of his boring existence and be drawn into a place of nightmares. A vampire named Larten Crepsley (John C. Reilly) turns Darren into a half vampire where he joins the Cirque Du Freak, a touring sideshow filled with creatures considered freaks. Darren is a key player between both vampires and their deadlier counterparts while he trys to survive. Darren attempts to keep their brewing war from destroying what’s left of his humanity.


This is funny and fascinating Vampire movie taking you down a path you may not expect. It is just what it set out to be, a good followable story with a good dose of humor in it. A snakeboy, a wolfman, a bearded lady (Salma Hayek) and a gigantic barker (Ken Watanabe)are inhabitants at a place called Cirque du Freak. This place was fascinating. The sets were great! There was a lot attention to detail and the characters were all believable and in odd ways lovable. I did not read the very popular books so have no basis on how to judge the movie as a comparison. I did think it was a fun movie and definitely worth the time I spent watching it.There is some language in it and of course the violence of the intense super-natural kind. I think it is good family fun if your children are not very young. There is a good moral sense of right and wrong in this film, between the teens and the circus inhabitants. Even when they are doing wrong it is made very clear it is wrong. This is something sometimes missing in films today and here they got it right in a Vampire movie! It did leave me hoping for another movie or even a TV series! I am inspired to check out the widely read book series as well!

Couples Retreat

Starring: Jean Reno, Jason Bateman, Vince Vaughn

Director: Peter Billingsley

Producer: Vince Vaughn

Producer: Scott Stuber

Released: 2009
Studio: Universal Studios
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Length: 114 Minutes

A couple wishing to save their marriage invite three other couples to join them at a tropical island resort. Upon arriving at the island paradise expecting to enjoy some fun in the sun, the other couples are unhappy to discover mandatory therapy sessions are required to remain at the resort and that the fun is reserved for the single side of the island.


This was a fun movie. I enjoyed it. Vince Vaughn does a great job of making this believable. Let's face it he is funny anyway. We all have times when we think our relationship could use a little help. How appealing is it to think that we could do it in thatch roofed luxury huts with lots of beautiful blue water, jet skis and drinks with little umbrellas! WhooHoo sign me up! When they get there and find out that the fear of forced therapy is real they try to make the best of it. Hilarious results and the movie actually has a wholesome ending!

I definitely recommend this movie for the over 13 crowd. You don't have to think too hard, it is just fun and entertaining!

Starting to feel like me again!

Do forgive me once again, I have not gotten back to the wonderful world of blog. Busy at work and had a cold. I have not been able to get over whatever has ailed me. I am better today and am feeling like getting back into the swing of all that I do. I was unable to really read or watch movies or make anything! I was not participating in life either! would go to work and come home and collapse! On the other hand I do remember what I did want to review and thankfully I have very good things to report on!

Thank-you to my dear friends with the kind words and emails of encouragement. You are the greatest!

Later!

Amelia Review

Amelia
Starring: Richard Gere, Hilary Swank, Ewan McGregor, Cherry Jones

Director: Mira Nair

Producer: Kevin Hyman

Producer: Lydia Dean Pilcher

Hilary Swank and Richard Gere star in the life of famed aviator Amelia Earhart, making history in 1932 by becoming the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. Five years later, as she attempts to fly around the world, her plane vanishes over the the Pacific Ocean.

As a historical film this movie hit all the marks. It is even informational telling things that we are not told in history class about the famous flights. Hilary looks so much like Amelia did in the old news reels. It is fantastic that the film can bring history alive,

I did find it a little dry. Once again I tried to stay it was because of personal preference in actors but no.... Gere did a good job playing the man who loved her. I just thought that there was little emotion in the film. Maybe because I know the outcome. When we talk about history films you know the final chapter most of the time. I don't think so. I think it was just a little slow and lacking in passion. She had to have been passionate. She was doing what no other woman had done. I think they try to put too much into it and then you loose some because there is a time limit.

Do watch this film. I liked it but don't expect to be enthralled. Remember that when they say things like mysteriously disappeared into the Pacific, remember the Pacific is a huge hole filled with salt water! It was stormy and what did they expect to find?

Bright Star review

Bright Star

Starring: Kerry Fox, Ben Whishaw, Abbie Cornish

Director: Jane Campion

Producer: Caroline Hewitt

Producer: Jan Chapman

A tragic love affair between one of the most famous of the romantic poets John Keats (Ben Whishaw) and the young Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish) is played out in this romantic period drama that everyone has been waiting for!

Rated PG


I will be the first to admit that I love period dramas. I waited and waited for this one watching the previews and had the video release date memorized! I took it home and fixed my popcorn, got my tea and got ready for the enchantment of being taken back into time where romance was real!

How disappointing! It took forever for this film to get over. It dragged on and on. Don't get me wrong, the sets were perfect, the costumes were exactly as they should have been. The plot was poorly executed. Think about it,this should have been great. The famous John Keats fell for a girl of some position. She falls for him. He has a burly friend who tries to keep him from making mistakes and makes mistakes himself. John becomes ill, has to leave, the lovers are sad and then he dies. OK, I have made it sound more exciting and romantic then it was! I felt the movie left me wanting something more.

I tried to to tell myself that maybe it was because I do not particularly car for the writings of Keats. That really does not do it because they really don't have much of this writings in the movie. I believe that a movie should evoke a feeling, an emotion. The emotion I felt was relief, that it was over!

Will be back..........

I have been working very hard and my Mother-in-law came to visit and became ill which left me feeling as though I am neglecting the blog! I have read two more books and watched four more movies........... I will get on here on my day off and review all of them. Good and bad! I can even surprise myself. A movie and a book that I was very enthused about ends up leaving me feeling all blah.......blah.......and more blah!

Now that the worries about the Mother-in-law are not as pressing and that my work hours as of this week are limited to 45 a week I may have more time to add a little art to the me time! I have one project started, one thought about and another just starting to become a sparkle in my eye!

So until later this week thanks for reading and following!

More Vamps!

The Traveling Vampire Show written by Richard Laymon (2000) may be about teens but is not really written for them.

Three teens living in a little idealistic town have one thing one their minds. They saw the poster announcing one night only performance of the Traveling Vampire Show where you can see the gorgeous, beguiling and lethal Valeria, the only living vampire in captivity! The problem being is that you have to be eighteen to attend. A story of what lengths these teens will go through to see what they most desire, and ow they get more then they expected.

This is a compelling read. The three teens are very real and they have very real fear, loves and lives. The story will take you through a range of emotions that I like in a book. There were times when I wanted to see the traveling show myself. Then I would be hoping that they didn't make it as I started to really care about them. Then I would get angry at the stubborn mind set that kept driving them there. I realized that it was the same emotions that I have had dealing with other teens. That made the book all that much better because the author made sure I knew these kids. I liked this book. It took me on a journey into my past as I lived with these teens and their desires and their fear. A recommended read but possibly to much of a horror for younger readers. I believe this is a book meant to take adults back into their youth and then into terror.

Another series of books!

The Night World by L. J. Smith series is another set of young adult books that I decided to check out. Vampires, werewolves, witches and shapeshifters all living right along side of us without our knowledge. There's a secret society called Night World that is guarded with very strict rules and falling in love with humans breaks all the rules at once.

Volume one includes;
Secret Vampire
Poppy is secretly in love with her best friend, James and is suddenly diagnoses with terminal cancer. James is secretly in love with Poppy but for different reasons, it's against Night World law. He can save her life by making her immortal but that would mean breaking all the laws at once.

Daughters of Darkness
Three vampire sisters run away from home and the Night World to live among humans. They vow to live good lives and not to hurt humans but find that it is not as easy as it sounds. Their brother Ash, a ruthless vampire known to hate humans is sent to bring them home. Things get a little complicated when he falls in love with their human friend.

Spellbinder
Two witch cousins raised as sisters go to school with the humans. Lots of schools! They are kicked out of one school after another. This time has to be different. Yet they end up in a battle over a guy. White magic versus Black magic and falling in love with a human, will the Night World law ignore this?

Volume Two includes:
Dark Angel
Gillian a girl who has never really fit in with the kids she wants to is saved from drowning by an angel. No one else can see Angel and he makes all her hearts desires start to come true. She becomes suspicious of what Angel really is when some of Angels suggestions become strange and sinister.

The Chosen
Rashel is one of the most ferocious and successful vampire hunters seeking to avenge her mother's death. She finds a group of vampires with one of the most vicious vampires heading it up are luring young girls for a human slave trade. She knows she is destined to stop this evil but did she know she was destined to find love at the same time?

Soulmate
Hannah writes note in her sleep. She knows she must be writing them, they are in her handwriting. She does not know what they mean. She also feels as though she is being followed. She must be crazy right? When two wolves break through the psychologist's window, one trying to kill her and one saving her even he knows something more then crazy is going on. She doesn't know that only the love of the Lord of the Night World can save her.


Volume Three includes:
Huntress
Jez hunts the vilest of humans with her vampire gang. At least she used to, until she found out that she is only have vampire. Her mother was human! unable to explain to her gang who would be compelled to kill her she leaves to live with relatives of her mothers. Now she hunts bad vampires. Is it against Night World law to love a half human?

Black Dawn
Maggie's brother is dead and something is not right about it. On impulse she leaves immediately to investigate only to find thing are more wrong then she ever imagined. Finding herself kidnapped into slavery she doesn't know she is being transported into fighting to save all of humanity and forbidden love.

Witchlight
Circle Daybreak an underground organization of both human and Night World members hires Keller a shapeshifting panther to protect the new Wild Power, a young girl who is key in saving humanity. When Keller falls in love with the Wild Power's soulmate will she sacrifice her love for humanity or let it destroy all the good in the world.


These were initially introduced as pocket novels and now are sold as three story volumes. I really liked the way this author mixed the human and Dark World. It was captivating and a good read. I do admit that as time went on I was ready to get to the end of the story and kept on for that purpose. What did I expect? It is written for teens and they are all about the forbidden love! Despite the over the top romantic musings in every single story it was very interesting and I found myself ready for the next. I was ready for the finale and then found it had not been written yet! It really felt as though it was winding up to a big finish so I have high expectations of the final chapter. This one is definitely a good choice for young readers and it is a good PG13 type read. I would even suggest it for anyone who likes the romance genre books as well. They have happy endings and are not horribly graphic with the romance or the bloodshed. If you believe in love at first sight, or not, you will believe that these people, and uh, vampires, witches, werewolves and shapeshifters have found it! Feel good endings with characters from the underworld!

Looking forward to
Strange Fate
The conclusion of the Night World series to be released July 2010

L. J Smith has written other books that I will have to check out soon as in the Vampire Diaries, Secret Circle, Forbidden Game and Dark Visions. All appear to be books in series and I have found I like that. Stories that go on a little longer and then a little more and so on! Oh the fun that awaits!

Lost City Raiders

Lost City Raiders will be released on 01/26/10. In the near future water levels will rise to a unreal level due to global warming. Two brothers follow their father in the quest to save the world by finding ancient artifactsfor the Vatican that will stop the water from rising before a land tycoon gets his hands on it for self serving reasons.

My husband likes disaster movies so I brought this one home for a preview. Oh boy! I found myself giggling when I was not supposed to. Can't help it! I have seen moves with worse graphics and plot and acting but not many. The basic plot was good. It was cool to see the buildings underwater with just the tops sticking out. The cating was not really bad but the writing was. You can't say corny lines without it sounding corny! They find the artifacts almost miraculously, figuring out where they are in a snap. They get then artifacts on the first try. OF COURSE the bad guy gets the final piece first and they must take it from him. The ending shows things that make you wonder how they got there and they give no answers. They left it obviously open for more movies. The cute guys ended up being the highlight of the movie and I don't know if that would be enough to get me to watch any sequel!

Whip It

Whip It is a film with Ellen Page playing Bliss Cavendar. A young girl finding it difficult to be herself with her pageant orientated mother. Not fitting in with the majority of other kids and with her own quirky style of dress she does not feel she belongs, The roller derby offers her a chance to find herself against the odds.

I really liked this movie. It was a rebellion film. We all know that teens want to do it their way and Bliss has found a way as Babe Ruthless. She is a genuine character that I found endearing. I even liked the mother who was trying to force the daughter into the perfect life she sees for her. The cast is filled with people that I found interesting and funny. You do end up feeling good at the end.

One warning, the rating is PG13 and I found it the high side of that. There is drug references, some sexual content and some pretty rough talk. I know most kids are pretty mature these days but I would be cautious of letting the pre-teens watching it without the parents previewing it.

I liked it and recommend it. To be released on January 26, 2010

Books and more books!

Last year I decided to read the Twilight series. I wanted to know what all the talk was about. I read all four books in ten days while managing to work, finish my Christmas shopping and wrapping the gifts in time! They were easy to read and I could see what captivated so many people. I did not have to work to understand what was going on and did not lose interest. I did see that it was meant for a younger audience but was not unable to empathize most of the time. True, some of the lamenting of Bella over the loss of her undead love was very teen like. I remember being a teen (vaguely) and so actually enjoyed them. Not even embarrassed that I liked a "teen" novel series.

Now that got me to thinking. There are lots of teen novels that deal with this fantasy of vampires and witches and other supernatural ideas. I wonder if they could hold the same allure as the Twilight series did? So I started on a journey.

The House of Night Series by P C Cast
Marked (book one)
Betrayed (book two)
Chosen (book three)
Untamed (book four)
Hunted (book five)
Tempted (book six)

Now this was truly entertaining! Combine Twilight with Harry Potter and we have a fun escapade continuing on from book to book! Believable and likable characters ranging from the teens themselves to the people they interact with. Fresh and inspired writing that makes even a blood-lust something completely understandable. A different take on the whole vampire thing. Zoey a teenager is to become a vampire and to do so she has to move into the school for vamps. She, like the others attending the school through their challenges and troubles prove that being a vamp does not mean you have to be awful. Not for the younger set as it does get more involved the older Zoey gets. I read them one after the other without a break. I will read the next one, Burned (book seven) available April 2010.

Need a break from reality? The House of Night series will definitely take you there!

what they say

I was told that the new "Final Destination" will change your mind about several everyday events including getting your hair done! I was told it was very scary and worth waiting for!

There has been a lot of conflicting reports about "Paranormal Activities". Some have said it was a huge waste of time and money: not at all scary. Some have said that the whole thing being shot in one room made it cheap and laughable. Others said it scared the daylights out of them. One person said he went with his wife and they left the theater crying because it was so real. Pretty much everyone one who has said anything it all boils down to this. If they don't believe in ghosts then it was stupid. If they do believe in ghosts it was horrifying! Me.... I take no chances...... not going to see it!

My tiny friends said that if it is going to rain anything....... not spaghetti but hamburgers would be great! More little votes for "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs"

Time to get busy with life......... Maybe I will get the Grandkids today.

Grandkids pick

I have a few Grandchildren and from time to time I will also report what they like. I have two that live next door. They give two tiny thumbs up for "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs". Everyone that I have talked to has liked this movie that will hit rental on the 5th. Good family fun.

The highly anticipated newest addition of "Final Destination" has not arrived yet so I will have to post on that later.

I have also decided to post progress on a combined art project. I have a friend (wow, I know, right!) that is also an artist and lives in another state. I am going to start a painting and mail it to her. She will then add to it before mailing it back. We plan on mailing it at least three times each..... We are at the planning stage now.... ball in my court.... I will drop it only if it has paint on it!!

Customer opinions coming later this week!

getting to know you

This being a new format for me, we may get off to a shaky start!

I thought it would be fun as someone in the retail portion of video entertainment to start dialog about movies. I can tell you what I like and don't like and give you the responses of my customers as well. I encourage you to give appropriate views too.

I don't have a favorite movie! I like lots of them and really like quite a few! I do not usually watch horror, but occasionally do. I have employees who do and of course have lots of customers who will readily give me their opinion!

If you are looking for a date movie.
"Just like Heaven" with Mark Ruffalo and Reese Witherspoon
"The Ugly Truth" with Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler

In the mood for some action?
"Taking Lives"
"Star Trek"

Family Time!!!
"Flicka"
"Imagine That"

If you want to know more about it let me know and I will do what I can to help you out! Have an opinion you want to voice? Let me know!!!