Fuller House (2016-?)

Fuller House

Fuller House (2016-?)

Network:

Netflix

Starring:

Candace Cameron Bure

Jodie Sweetin

Andrea Barber

Plot:

D.J. Tanner-Fuller is a widow and mother of three. Things become too much to handle, so she asks for help from her sister Stephanie and her best friend Kimmy.

Review:

I don’t remember exactly what I thought when I first heard that Netflix was making this, but I believe it was along the lines of, “Why?”

After having binge watched the entire first season on release day, I can safely say, “More please.”

Fuller House of course had loads of nostalgia attached to it since I’d watched the original show growing up, however I found that the parts and episodes I liked the most were the ones that weren’t filled with cameos from the original older cast members. In fact easily the worst episode was the first one, the increase in quality after that one was immense. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the first pilot, but there were plenty of cringe worthy moments and I think a series written with everyone in it would have not worked.

This was also a family show, with comedy for the entire family, not just kids like the remake of Boy Meets World, Girl Meets World. I’ve read some people think the humor was too adult for a family comedy, but I disagree. It had nothing more risqué than what you find in an episode of Modern Family.

D.J., Candace Cameron Bure, Stephanie, Jodie Sweetin, and Kimmy, Andrea Barber, take up their roles like no time has passed. The kids, who could easily drag down the show, are as entertaining as the original Full House kids. It’s like I’m watching a 90’s sitcom through the lens of the 10’s. It’s awesome.

Honestly, as soon as I finished the season I wished there were more episodes. I’ve already re-watched the first episode and I can see myself re-watching the entire season easily. Now I wait to hear if Netflix decides to pick it up.

4.5/5

Side note: I don’t understand why the original series isn’t on Netflix US, it’s available in other countries, I’d really love an opportunity to re-watch the original series.

The Last Dragonslayer (Chronicles of Kazam #1) By: Jasper Fforde

The Last Dragonslayer

The Last Dragonslayer (Chronicles of Kazam #1) By: Jasper Fforde

Plot:

In the good old days, magic was indispensable—it could both save a kingdom and clear a clogged drain. But now magic is fading: drain cleaner is cheaper than a spell, and magic carpets are used for pizza delivery. Fifteen-year-old foundling Jennifer Strange runs Kazam, an employment agency for magicians—but it’s hard to stay in business when magic is drying up. And then the visions start, predicting the death of the world’s last dragon at the hands of an unnamed Dragonslayer. If the visions are true, everything will change for Kazam—and for Jennifer. Because something is coming. Something known as . . . Big Magic.

Review:

Jasper Fforde’s books are so awesome and strange and cool and fanciful and off the wall bizarre and I love them. Well there was one I didn’t love, but all the others I do. I think, there’s a couple yet that I need to read.

Anyway, this is a young adult novel that is not filled with stupid teenage emotions and all that CW stuff that often times pops up in YA books. This is a great Jasper Fforde for kids book. It’s funny and ridiculous and thought provoking. It’s a great start of what could be an awesome series and I can’t wait to read the next one.

5/5

Zathura (2005)

zathura

Zathura (2005)

Director:

Jon Favreau

Starring:

Josh Hutcherson

Jonah Bobo

Dax Shepard

Plot:

Two young brothers are drawn into an intergalactic adventure when their house is hurled through the depths of space by the magical board game they are playing.

Review:

Loved Jumanji growing up and I’ve wanted to see this for a while. My husband put it in to entertain our daughter and I ended up watching.

At first I had no idea what was playing and couldn’t understand why my husband would be watching something with such bratty children. They were horrible and he just looked at me and said, “This is our future.” Not at all disconcerting.

The movie was fun and basically a space version of Jumanji, but I’m totally fine with that.

I loved that they made fun of the sister for her reaction to a certain thing.

I really liked the movie and it will probably hold a special place in my heart because it’s the first movie we’ve sat through as a family.

4.5/5

Side note: I want that house

On Borrowed Time (Library Lover’s Mystery #5) By: Jenn McKinlay

on-borrowed-time-jenn-mckinlay

On Borrowed Time (Library Lover’s Mystery #5) By: Jenn McKinlay

Plot:

Loving a good cup of coffee runs in the family for Briar Creek library director Lindsey Norris. But when her brother, Jack, a consultant for a coffee company, goes missing, her favorite beverage becomes a key clue in a dangerous mystery. Between preparing the library for the holidays and juggling the affections of ex-boyfriend, Captain Mike Sullivan, and her new crush, actor Robbie Vine, Lindsey has her hands full. But the mysterious disappearance of her world-traveling playboy brother takes precedence over all. Afraid that involving the police could brew trouble for Jack, Lindsey takes matters into her own hands. But as her quest for her brother embroils her in a strange case involving South American business dealings and an enigmatic and exotic woman, it’ll take the help of both her library book club—the crafternooners—and her eager-to-please suitors to keep Jack from ending up in hot water…

Review:

I’m well on my way to being a Jenn McKinlay superfan. I own ebook and paperback copies, though, I do still check out some from the library.

This book didn’t move Lindsey’s relationships forward as much as I wanted, still hasn’t gotten back with Sully. She was actually a bit stupid in this one, which is one of the things I’ve always liked about McKinlay’s books, the heroines aren’t stupid. Her plan at the end and the way she acted wasn’t the normal smart Lindsey. Of course her brother was involved and people don’t always think clearly when family is involved.

This book was kind of filler character and relationship wise. The mystery was fairly predictable but fine. Overall not my favorite in the series.

3.5/5

Aunt Dimity’s Death (An Aunt Dimity Mystery #1) By: Nancy Atherton

Aunt Dimity's Death

Aunt Dimity’s Death (An Aunt Dimity Mystery #1) By: Nancy Atherton

Plot:

Down-on-her-luck Lori Shepherd thought Aunt Dimity was a pretend character in her mother’s bedtime stories … until the Dickensian law firm of Willis & Willis offers the possibility of large inheritance — if she can discover the secret hidden in letters between Dimity and her mother. Plus 1-pg recipe Beth’s Oatmeal Cookies.

Review:

I didn’t realize just how long ago 1992 was until reading this book. The lead character is early thirties, I believe, maybe younger and she talks about how her mother worked for Eisenhower during WWII. The language is also more dated than I had expected.

Was not a fan of the heroine, Lori, she was destitute barely surviving and gets handed a golden ticket, awesome, but she’s so—ugh. I don’t have a problem with her attitudes toward money and all of a sudden getting to buy stuff, I have a problem with how she treated Bill. He was nice to her and she acted like a bitch to him. She was annoyed he was trying to be some kind of knight in shining armor and seemed to always think he was playing a prank on her, but he wasn’t.

She eventually warmed up to him, and she got better, still not one of my favorite characters, though. She was bossy to Bill, super friendly to everyone else, and went from not being able to cook to being able to pull off meringues without issue.

I picked this up months ago in my search for cozy mysteries. It was billed as one and I thought it sounded interesting enough, but this would not be considered a cozy with todays definitions. There wasn’t much of a mystery, just why did the ghost of Dimity feel unable to cross over. It was easily solved once they actually got around to it, and then that was it. The mystery wasn’t the reason for the story, overcoming grief and moving on with your life was. It was like the publisher really liked the story, wanted to publish it, but had no idea how to bill it so just slapped a mystery label on it.

I ended up crying within the first few pages because like the movie Up it hits the character with one loss after another and it’s super depressing. Honestly I cried throughout the entire thing because I empathize way too easily and all Lori did was come across things that reminded her of her mother or Dimity or someone else that was dead. Super depressing book, for me, and I don’t see myself reading the rest of the series.

3/5