Release Date: 8.4.2019
Rating: PG
Length: 1hr 26
About: Wonder Park tells the story of a magnificent amusement park where the imagination of a wildly creative girl named June comes alive.
The Good
The animation and story is sound. It certain kept the two little ones I was with entertained.it makes very clear distinctions between the real world and the world of Wonder Land.
The characters are lovable and funny enough for both child and adult to engage with.
There’s a very clear STEM (or STEAM as its called now) focus and I could certainly see how empowering it could be for young girls.
The Bad
It takes a while to get into. For a film that’s premise is focused on the theme park, it certainly doesn’t feel like much screen time is spent there. Instead, it choses to focus more on the relationships out in the real world. It makes sense; the one impacts the other. However, it does impact how much I enjoyed the film.
The Ugly
It’s a little on the dark side for my liking. While I can only applaude the film’s attempt to address illness, depression and grief it was not the light hearted romp I was expecting for an Easter treat.
Air Date: 21.3.2019 About: Burnham is stunned when she learns her ties to Section 31 run deeper than she ever fathomed. Armed with the identity of the Red Angel, the U.S.S. Discovery goes to work on its most critical mission to date.
I was nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award byCat.
RULES
Thank the blogger who nominated you in a blog post and links back to their blog.
Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.
Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
List the rules and display The Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post.
Questions
If you had to describe yourself in 3 words, which ones would they be?
Quirky, geeky & kind
What is the most beautiful place you’ve ever been to?
The most beautiful place I’ve been to is the Outer Hebrides. So beautiful and close to nature. I want to go back some day. In fact, is love to spend a year there.
What is your all-time favorite movie?
That would have to be Jurassic Park. When I couldn’t sleep, when I was sick, when it was Thursday. My VHS was watched so much that I broke the plastic panel off the tape part!
It also marked my first ever celeb crush. I don’t think I put a name to how I felt about Joe Mazzello’s Tim Murphy, but it was definitely a crush.
The film isn’t the best made in the world. Hell it’s no longer the best made film in the franchise, but it’s mine and always will be my favourite
If you could have any book or future release in front of you right now, which one would it be?
I would give anything to be able to read Holly Bourne’s The Places I’ve Cried in Public. I can’t explain how important Bourne’s books are to me. After uni, back in 2007 I didn’t think i’d pick up a book again. My reading habits were sporadic until Bourne’s Am I Normal Now?
With that one book I was hooked again and I started sharing books with the students I taught and it all ballooned from there.
I don’t think I’ve been as excited about the release of book since the last Harry Potter was released.
What is the first book you remember reading?
I obviously remember reading the Biff, Chip & Kipper books but the first story I remember reading was Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown.
If you had to switch places with a book villain, which one would it be?
This is so hard. Gretchen Lowell in the Heartsick Series by Chelsea Cain.
What is your favorite place to read?
In a coffee shop in a squishy chair
When did you realize you loved reading?
I never realised… I think its something that’s in my blood. I hadn’t realised how young I was when I realised I loved writing though until I found a Mother’s Day card I’d written when I was about 7 years old.
What is your favorite sweet?
The penny sweets turtles. Man, I love them so much. There was a while when I couldn’t find them anywhere, but thankfully with the internet it’s pretty easy to pick some up when I fancy them.
If you had to permanently move to another country, which one would it be?
It would have to be Slovenia. It’s a completely blissful place, it has ice hockey and everyone seems stress free. Copenhagen would come a close second for similar reasons.
What do you miss right now?
I miss having a someone in my life. I miss going on dates and that fluttery happy feeling you have. I miss movie nights, and pub nights and just generally being someone’s someone. However, I don’t miss the lies or being someone a bloke ‘settles’ for until someone better comes along. I don’t miss the games or the stress of mistrust.
My Questions
Which 4 famous people would you invite to a dinner?
You can bring to life one character from a book to be your friend, who are you asking for?
If you were to go on a cooking show like Come Dine With Me, what would you make as your three-course meal?
What book seems to permanently be in your TBR?
What one bookish or film character would you love to see turned into a Pop figure?
Which books/ characters would you love to see in a crossover?
Which unpopular couple do you ship?
What would you put into Room 101?
Do you have any music to read to?
Are you happy to lend out your books?
Money no object, what book would you want to own as a first edition?
Thank you so much Tanvi @ A Reader to Whatever End for tagging me for this. She clearly knows me very well because this tag is totally perfect for me – I’m a huge TV buff, I have grown up watching lots of soaps and dramas on television and binge watching is my favorite activity other than reading books. Just go ahead and checkout Tanvi’s blog for more amazing book reviews and other wonderful posts.
I have tried but there is going to be a lot of repetition in my answers below, because I’m very picky and have very few favorite shows and I love binge watching them. So, let’s get started.
I’ve not been tagged. I just found it, liked it, tagged myself! Hope you enjoy my answers Han x
Favourite Shows
Grey’s Anatomy (2005 – Present) I love this show. I can’t explain my reasons, but this show is my life. From the first ‘seriously’ to undoubtedly teary last narration, this is MY show. I’ve even made a tag for the show, which is my top viewed post to date.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997 – 2003)
Stranger Things (2016 – Present)
Glow (2017- Present)
Friends (1994 – 2004)
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993- 1999)
Doctor Who (1963 – Present)
Suits (2011 – Present)
Line of Duty (2012 Present)
Lucifer (2016 – Present)
Favourite Genre
Sci-Fi has always been my genre. Crime/procedural dramas come a very close second, but its Sci-fi that has made me who I am today.
Least Favourite Show
Bojack Horseman
Archer
Most Rewatched show/ Favourite show to Binge Watch
Grey’s Anatomy Every year I start from the beginning and watch all the way through. Most of the time. Sometimes Izzy gets to me and I skip until she’s gone.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Gilmore Girls (2000 – 2007) I’m not sure I like this show all that much, but I find myself binge watching every year or so.
White Collar (2009 – 2014)
Stranger Things
Glow Season two landed on Netflix on a Friday. I put it on with the understanding that I would watch ONE episode… I think it was something like 1am and I’d finished the whole series.
Week-by-week or Binge
It depends. Shows like Line of Duty, Bodyguard and Star Trek Discovery work well as week-by-week as it allows each episode to be thought about and predictions to be made. However, there are shows that just beg to be binged; whether you want to or not. Netflix shows like Stranger Things and Glow are ones that I binge like hell. Repeatedly.
Favourite TV Character
Amelia Shepherd; Private Practice (2007 & 2013) & Grey’s Anatomy. An unpopular choice for those who only have Grey’s to go off, but anyone who has seen the younger brain surgeon face her darkest moments in the Kate Walsh spin-off will understand just how much she’s been though.
Dr Julian Bashir; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Chief Jim Hopper; Stranger Things I don’t think I really need to explain this one.
Favourite TV Ships
Neal Caffrey and Peter Burke; White Collar This is a total bromance. I love it because it shouldn’t work. Neal’s a conman and Peter’s the man who caught him. However, you just have to watch the emotional exchange in the series one finale to know that these two are soulmates in much the same way as Grey and Yang.
Jim and Maggie; The Newsroom (2012 – 2014) One of the reasons why The Newsroom ended too soon is the development of Jim and Maggie’s relationship. They’re one of the will they/ won’t they couples, but we never really get the pay off.
Paul and Hugh: Star Trek Discovery I love these two, mainly for the fact that their sexuality is simply there. It’s not commented upon and it allows for a better and deeper exploration of their characters and relationship.
Shows you Couldn’t Get into
Black List
Dexter
Grimm
Mr Robot
With both Mr Robot and Dexter, it was about the narration that runs throughout the episodes. I just can’t marry the narrative and the visuals together. It’s a shame because I love both of the main actors.
Shows You Fell Out of Love With
Lost (2004 – 2010)
Heroes (2006 – 2010)
Marvel’s Agents of SHEILD (2013 – Present)
Supernatural (2005 – Present)
House (2004 – 2012)
NCIS (2003 – Present)
The Big Bang Theory (2007 – 2019)
With all of these shows I lost interest in the stories and, more importantly, the characters. I shed light on Lost and Heroes in my post here.
Cancelled Too Soon
Selfie (2014)
Our Zoo (2014) The mini series that looked at the creation and opening of Chester Zoo by the Mottershead family could have easily gone on for a number of series. It was a blow to hear, long after the final episode aired, that there were no plans for a second series.
Newsroom There’s no denying that I started to watch this show for David Harbour, but I stuck around because the story had me hooked. Much like West Wing, this Sorkin produced drama was drawing from politically and socially prominent stories. I wasn’t ready for the end and I would happily welcome a recommission.
Pan Am (2011 – 2012) Yup, this show also has David Habour on it’s roster, but I did what the first few episodes back in 2011 when it aired late night on BBC2. This is a show that would have fairedsefore we only have 14 episodes of this wonderfully 60s show.
Guilty Pleasure Show
Selfie This show was amazing. A modern retelling of My Fair Lady/ Pygmalion with Karen Gillan and John Cho at the helm. Their chemisty and humour make this short-lived so bittersweet. You know Gillan’s Eliza and Cho’s Henry are meant to find each other. Unfortunately time was called on the show early into its run.
Once Upon a Time (2011- 2018)
Hex (2004- 2005)
Switch (2012)
Currently Watching
Grey’s Anatomy
Miracle Workers (2019)
The Flash (2014 – Present)
Arrow (2012 – Present)
Supergirl (2015 – Present)
DC’s Legends of Tommorow (2016 – Present)
Charmed (2018 – Present)
Star Trek Discovery
IZombie (2015 – Present)
I’m sure there are others but its hard to think. It’s like naming all of Santa’s reindeer.
Favourite Theme Music
Crystal Maze
Grey’s Anatomy
White Collar
Hex
The Characters You Love to Hate
Jez Heriot and Azazeal; Hex
Louis Litt; Suits Oh, Louis! There isn’t a character that’s made me facepalm as much as the Suits antagonist. I love him and his annoying over reactions.
SUITS — “Hitting Home” Episode 507 — Pictured: Rick Hoffman as Louis Litt — (Photo by: Shane Mahood/USA Network)
Favourite Swan Song Episode
Hex; S2 Ep13 The Showdown
Friends S10 Ep17&18 The Last One: Parts 1 & 2
If you’ve gotten this far, consider yourself tagged. Drop me a message in the comments. Do you agree with any of my choices? Any shows you think I should give a second chance?
Thank you so much Tanvi @ A Reader to Whatever End for tagging me for this. She clearly knows me very well because this tag is totally perfect for me – I’m a huge TV buff, I have grown up watching lots of soaps and dramas on television and binge watching is my favorite activity other than reading books. Just go ahead and checkout Tanvi’s blog for more amazing book reviews and other wonderful posts.
I have tried but there is going to be a lot of repetition in my answers below, because I’m very picky and have very few favorite shows and I love binge watching them. So, let’s get started.
Favorite shows?
The West Wing is my most favorite of this lifetime and I don’t think that will ever change. It has some of the best characters on television I have ever seen.
Air Date: 7.3.2019 About: Spock and Burnham head to Talos IV, where the process of healing Spock forces the siblings to confront their troubled past. Stamets desperately tries to reconnect with an increasingly disconnected Hugh, while Tyler struggles to shed the crew’s suspicions of him due to his past as Voq.
When the early description of this episode and first images were released for If Memory Serves, I knew this was going to be the episode I was waiting for. I’ve literally been like a kid at Christmas all week. It’s been a long time since I’ve had such anticipation for a TV show. Little did I know, there was much more to the episode that I didn’t even know I needed.
It all starts with a heartfelt and surprising ‘previously on…’. This isn’t one you’re going to want to skip over this week; creators have edited footage from the Star Trek Original Series pilot The Cage in order to give new audiences a condensed story. It’s charming and tasteful while staying true to the show.
It’s a truly amazing episode and everyone is giving their all. There are two things that make this episode a potential contender come next years awards season.
Michael and Spock
Fans get some answers to why the Federation have stopped people from visiting the system; something they’ve been waiting a long time for. Its a great way to open the scene and give Michael, and the audience, further information.
Getting onto the planet itself is rather problematic. It leads to a fight between Michael and the catatonic Spock. Its wonderful on so many levels. It adds a touch of humour to a tense storyline, but more importantly; it adds a level of realism to the relationship and, by extension, the show. I just love that intimacy between the siblings that breaks the boundary of being Starfleet.
Talos itself is stunning. Yes, its a clear upgrade from The Cage but the set designers have stayed true to the original concepts. Just wait for Michael discovering the plants that emitting a beautiful sound.
There’s a familiar face guest starring as the famous Vina; the woman who graced the credits in most of the Original Series run.
As part of the story, audiences will get plenty of answers to questions that have remained unanswered. It’s a traumatic process for both Michael and Spock. Both ? and ? are amazing in their roles. Again, my favourite interaction being a point when Spock has regained control of his mind and there’s a verbal sparing between the siblings. The conflict, regret and love between the two characters is clear to see, and its not from a script that this is gained; its the chemistry and interaction between the two actors.
Hugh, Paul and Ash
This was the character and relationship exploration I’ve been waiting for. I loved the relationship of Paul and Hugh last series; it was understated and representative (hopefully) of a natural progression of a gay relationship. The show didn’t make it a thing and I found that incredibly beautiful. Then obviously we had to face the loss of
When I heard about Hugh’s return, my mind was all a buzz with what the fallout could be. Never, did I think it would be quite so good. I’d imagine it’s an actors dream to be given such a story line to sink their teeth into.
Wilson Cruz is heartbreakingly powerful in all of the scenes in this episode. While it’s clear that Hugh is still processing the trauma he has been through and there’s such a lost and stranded tone to Cruz’ performance. I can only begin to imagine what a strain on a person’s sense of self this situation could cause, but Cruz helps make it a little easier.
I have been very vocal of Anthony Rapp’s performance since the very first episode here. Over the time, we’ve seen the range and scope of his acting and it did not disappoint. However, the scene in which he brings dinner home to Hugh is just something else. The pain in which Paul asks ‘Why are you angry with me?’ was so raw, that I wanted to reach in and give him a hug. It’s an understandable situation that I’ve seen in real life; When my dad thought he was losing my mum to COPD, there was a change. He took her the cinema, he helped around the house more and, at my insistence, he did not smoke in the same room as her. Paul is so grateful to have Hugh back that he’s trying not to take his second chance for granted. I was moved by Rapp’s performance and how real it felt.
I was shocked by the character reveal of Ash Tyler in series 1. Shazad Laitif is an incredible addition to the cast and having him back within the crew was always going to provide some brilliant plot points. In this episode not only we get the knowledgeable security crew member, but we see his vulnerability from his relationship with Michael but also from the actions he can’t take back as Voq.
The moment I was waiting for actually took me by surprise for so many reasons. I knew there would come a time in which Ash and Hugh would be in the same room and I imagined so many ways in which it could go. This wasn’t it. I was not expecting this powerful display of anger from Hugh or the resulting fight. However, there was another unexpected response that shocked me completely. At the climax of the fight, Hugh and Ash admitted to each other that neither knows who they are any more. I have so many predictions about this turn of events but for now, all I want to say is that it was one of my favourite scenes in the whole episode because it took me by surprise and was buzzing with energy and potential chemistry.
Final Thoughts, Questions and Predictions
I know, deep down, its a better episode than New Eden but I can’t quite move the second episode of series 2 from my favourite top spot. That said, this has everything you would want from a Star Trek episode. I’ve actually already watched it three times, simply because I enjoyed it so much.
One question that was raised for me was with the reveal that the Red Angel and Spock changed Michael’s fate. I hope the remainder of the series looks into answering the question that the episode raised for me: will there be a consequence for saving Michael’s life?
There’s two ways I feel Hugh’s journey could go. It’s been made clear that there’s a fracture in his and Paul’s relationship, which leaves it open for some romancing on either part. But the much more interesting relationship development is that of Ash and Hugh. They are both men who have gone through a change at the result of something traumatic and as unconventional as it would be, they really could help each other recover. How that progresses, I’m not sure. Obviously there is the fundamental friendship that could develop from shared trauma, but I don’t think it’s beyond the show to develop a romantic relationship between them. As much as I feel like a Paul/Hugh traitor, I’d be open to them exploring this.
I cannot wait to see what the show has for us next. Until next week Love Han x
Sorry for the delay. I’ve had a difficult week and a bit sleep-wise so it meant I had to watch the episode twice before writing my review. All should be back to running normally next week, but today you get a double dose of reviews.
I actually wasn’t sure about this episode when I first watched it and I can only think it was that I wasn’t in the right mind-set for such an emotional-wrought story line. Saru’s journey within this episode is quite incredible. We see his relationship with Michael strengthen once more; there’s a heartwarming scene in which he takes Michael to meet his sister. It’s charming and gives us such a depth to Saru’s character.
The plot involving the seemingly superior Ba’ul is incredibly reminiscent of stories you’ll have seen before; Antz, Bug’s Life and many others all cover this idea of a weak group being strong, if only they work together and accept they can be more. What I did enjoy with this retelling of the underdog is that it wasn’t always that way and the ethical situation Discovery find themselves in when faced with being a bystander to genocide.
The Ba’ul leader! Bloody hell, he was scary. The look is absolutely terrifying on its own, but then you add that voice that will cause nightmares for weeks to come. It’s hard to see that they were once the prey on the planet- gulp!
The episode resolves with a heartfelt goodbye between Saru and his sister. I’m hoping that the journey within this episode will ensure we gain a balance between his mild mannered and volatile self. I guess only time will tell.
My only issue with the episode is in regards to Hugh Culber. The first scene is okay and fits well within Saru’s story. However, this was not an episode that could fit in a secondary storyline, so the second scene which has such a beautiful story that explains how Hugh came to be a doctor feels a little out of place and clunky. What I felt it needed was either a resolution with an additional scene at the end or the second scene removed. It’s something I probably wouldn’t have noticed had the previous episodes been quite so high quality. It’s not that I don’t want to see Hugh either, its an incredible story and I’m itching to have an episode that focuses on both him and Stamets. However, these out of place scenes don’t do the character’s justice.
Its a well made episode, with only a few missteps. It was quite nice to have a break from the search for Spock and have an almost ‘bottle episode’ on a planet. I’m also strangely loving the clashing of Pike and Ash; long may it continue.
The War Blog by Glen Sobey (Black Rose Writing Net Galley)
Library Loans
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (Pan Macmillan)
Wildcard by Marie Lu (Penguin)
Books I Read
Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman
Extinction Trials: Rebel by S. M. Wilson
Monsters in the Mirror by A J Hartley
Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M McManus
Meat Market by Juno Dawson
Widows by Lynda La Plante
The Lost Book of Adventure by Unknown Adventurer
Wish by Chris Saunders
The Cave by Rob Hodgson
The School of Numbers by Emily Hawkins
Brilliant Ideas From Wonderful Women by Aitziber Lopez
What Do Machines Do All Day by Jo Nelson
Maria Montessori by Isabel Sanchez Vegara; Raquel Martín
Ada Lovelace by Isabel Sanchez Vegara, Zafouko Yamamoto
Last Bus to Everland by Sophie Cameron
We Won an Island by Charlotte Lo
Little Bear Wants to Grow by Judith Koppens
The Magic Misfits: The Second Story by Neil Parick Harris
Books for March
Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Pena
Emily Eternal by M G Wheaton
Goodreads total:
Its been an amazing book month and I’m 23 books ahead of schedule, which is beyond amazing. That said, I’ve been finding it really hard to focus and setting myself a massive TBR last month was a big mistake; I think I’ve only read one out of it. I’m hoping to get my reading speed up this month and be distracted less by my phone. I also need to get the final chapter from my fan fiction written and published.
I started to rewatch Buffy with a group of students in school. I figured the girls needed to see a role model who wasn’t from Love Island or battling against the ‘lets be PC’ method of making TV. Every week we squeezed into one lunch and after school session. They were amazed that I know some of the lines pitch perfect, they were shocked at what passed for fashion in the 90s, but they love it and were always begging for ‘one more’.
Welcome to the Hellmouth
That opening scene. It will always be like a sucker punch to me. Tropes are so-called for a reason. Even with the current horror resurgence, conventions are set in celluloid. This first vampire attack bends all expectations and even 20 years on, it still feels refreshing.
Buffy is introduced with a parting nightmare directly after the guitar from the credits patters out. With the vibe of a popular kid who wasn’t looking to start again, its easy to see that she’s been through something that’s humbled her. Buffy”s passing initiation with Cordelia ends with her being so uncomfortable at Cordelia’s jibes directed at Willow. It’s a testament to Sarah Michelle Gellar’s performance. Not many actresses could pull off this conflicted nature with sincerity. We hit the 25 minute mark and I’m very happy to see that, much like Harry Potter, she’s alright at deciding who her friends are, thank you very much. Of course, while Buffy didn’t want to leave her school life and popularity behind there is that pesky little problem she was hoping to avoid.
Buffy’s reminder of her duties as the slayer comes dressed in tweed. Anthony Stewart Head, the Gold Blend Ad man, was back on my TV. As much as I love Giles, I never quite understand how he got the top Watcher job. From all the contact we see him have with the Watcher’s Council, it’s made clear that they don’t think much of him. So why is he looking after the one and only Slayer and not behind a desk?!
Buffy and Giles’ relationship is one of my favourites on the show; it works well and on so many levels. Although, watching now there are some times when I wonder how this middle-aged man got away with spending so much time with the Scooby Gang.
Welcome to the Hellmouth sees Buffy admit there is no escaping her calling and the episode ends with Willow heading into certain danger after taking advice from Buffy. We’re reintroduced to Darla; the vamp from the opening who takes Jessie down into the sewers, while Willow is saved. It’s a perfect cliffhanger if you watch it as a standalone. However, it did air in the UK as a mini movie which works just as well.
Of course, we can’t talk about this first episode without mentioning the fan-favourite welcoming gift; Angel. Myserious, brooding and apparently the definition of beautiful. I’ve never seen it myself, but seeing my students swoon, I guess I can’t deny that he still has it.
The Harvest
This episode is such a well structured compliment to episode before. It hits the ground running and within the once scenes we get a demonstration of Willow’s technological skill set. It’s these early episodes and setting up strong character traits and relationship foundations that will allow for some epic story telling.
Not only do we see Willow being established, we are already seeing character development. Thanks to Buffy, Willow is already learning to stand up to Cordelia. It’s wonderful and perfectly Willow.
There are two flaws for me in this episode and they both revolve around the death of characters; Jessie and Luke.
For the show, it was a stroke of genius, but for me I really hate that we lose Jessie so early. It’s a massive blow to lose someone you think is going to be a main player. It’s actually a shame they didn’t have the forethought to have his name in the opening credits to reinforce this. It does demonstrate that no one is safe from death and sets a tone for the series.
Luke, on the other hand was perhaps a mistake along with how the whole of series one pans out. More on this when I get to the end of the series. Luke should have stuck around for the remaining 10 episodes thought; he was a good little bad, if not a little dumb when it came to sunrise. Although it must be said that he does give Buffy a well choreographed fight scene and some excellent quips that will become synonymous with the Vampire Slayer.
It ends with the status quo back in play; even those who were at the Bronze act as if nothing has happened. Something that will crop up time after time, along with the quad walk and talk.
Hey guys, how’s your week going? I’m back with another Top 10 Tuesday post with a slightly different topic from the proposed prompt for this week. Again. 🙂
The Queens of Geekdom 