A psychologist engages a dangerous, young genius in a battle of wits -- unaware of the supernatural power the girl possesses, or that her life hangs in the balance. (IMDB)

This was an interesting and refreshing take on the telekinetic kid trope. Instead of explaining everything from the beginning, you experience and learn things when Fonda does. I was drawn in by the sense of something not being quite right from the beginning of the movie. Savannah Liles did a wonderful job as Ellie and outshined everyone else on the cast. The rest of the actors, especially when not involved in a scene with Savannah seemed to suffer a severe lack of chemistry with each other. This made their performance feel dull in comparison.

Rating: 6/10
Buy/Stream: Amazon, Netflix, Google

In the past, I have done several lists of movies that I think are great to watch to celebrate Halloween. However, I realize that my tastes are different from many of you so this year I have decided to create what I am going to call a streaming guide for anyone who wants to binge watch films in the horror genre. Please keep in mind that the offerings available on the services I mention below will change over time (so even though they may be packed with options now...that may change as different holidays approach). Also keep in mind that this is focused on places I think are great for Halloween...it is not a complete streaming guide to all the services out there...so yeah, not every service is going to be listed.

Laurie Strode comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago. -IMDB


I came into this movie wanting nostalgia, gore, and Halloween spirit and it definitely delivered. And after suffering recent botched sequels and remakes to other childhood favorites like Independence Day and Beauty and the Beast, I found this one to be quite refreshing. It wasn't perfect, but it was a damn fine Halloween movie. 

Warning! Spoilers Ahead!


I wanna start with a compliment to the absolutely incredible music in this film. It was synth-y, it was dramatic, it was looming, it was spooky, and it fit each and every situation perfectly. I just cannot dish out enough praise for the score in this film. Another great was Michael.  Your breath halts whenever Michael Myers is on screen, and especially when he isn't. The suspense is wonderfully executed and the gore is fantastic. It was always a given that every moment with Jamie Lee Curtis would be phenomenal, yet the dynamic between Laurie and Michael is just so compelling and in the brief moments where they are both on screen, it is epic. There are a few one-liners where the film is able to make fun of itself, or make an homage to the original, which I could appreciate. 

I did have a few annoyances about this film, but they are really just personal nitpicking. I grew weary quickly of all the false and predictable jump scares in the beginning. I also did not like the "twist" with the doctor in the middle. When he first rose on screen wearing that mask, I couldn't help but laugh. It was just so comical, and not in a good way. I also felt like Laurie Strode's daughter character was kind of a missed opportunity. I had hoped they would do more with her in the end than just a three second "oh so, she can be a bad-ass" scene.  It just seemed to fall flat and I expected more than a single gunshot at Michael from this seemingly "raised-to-be a monster-killer" character. 

Overall, I thought it was a satisfying slasher film and it lived up to my expectations. I would recommend it to those who are a fan of the original and new audiences alike. 



Rating: 8.5

I received a sample of this product to try in exchange for a review.

So, I don’t like coffee. I love the smell, but I have never liked the taste. That is, until a couple of years ago when a service I was subscribed to included a sample of Cafe Bustelo. Anyone who knows anything about me knows how in love with Cafe Bustelo I am. Since then, I have tried several of the big brands (Maxwell House, Folgers, Starbucks..etc) and the only thing I found that I like as much as Cafe Bustelo has been a brand called Pilon...which is essentially just Cafe Bustelo in a different package. I know this probably feels like I am rambling and fangirling over the one coffee I like, but I feel like it is necessary to know how little I know about coffee. I don’t know how to properly describe the taste, so this review...is not that great.

1850 is the new offering by the classic coffee company Folgers. When given the opportunity to give it a  try, I randomly picked the option Trailblazer without knowing what any of the options meant. I now know that the difference is the roast of the coffee (Trailblazer being a medium-dark roast). I prepared the sample the same way that I prepare my normal coffee ( I promise I won’t mention the name again.).   The smell was exactly what I expected for a coffee made by Folgers. It is that classic, nostalgic coffee smell. The taste surprised me and the only way I know to describe it is that it reminded me of a coffee flavored candy I have had in the past. There was a smokiness to it and it tasted very smooth. (Do people describe coffee this way?) Overall, I really enjoyed it and I think over time I may convince myself to try the other roasts. It definitely means that I now have a different coffee when I want something other than my usual choice.

Rating: 4/5
Buy

Image from Olay.com

Olay Regenerist Cleansing Whip Polishing crème Cleanser claims to “deep clean with anti-aging results” and prepare your “skin for better absorption of your moisturizers”.  Over the past month, I have added this product to my regular routine.

Unfortunately, I do not have anything great to say about the new Olay Mask Sticks, at least not for the Fresh Reset version. The first time I used it my face, the more sensitive areas tingled a bit. I have used masks that have led to a similar feeling and it was fine so I did not think much of it.

Penniless, Baron Frankenstein, accompanied by his eager assistant Hans, arrives at his family castle near the town of Karlstaad, vowing to continue his experiments in the creation of life. (IMDB)

As usual, September was super quiet. I do not know what it is about the month, but I just never feel like blogging or reviewing things during September. Combine that with a surge in responsibilities and busy schedules...and things become incredibly inactive.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SOCIETY

Beloved friend,

The year is 2084, and that famous Margaret Thatcher quote has become a reality: There really is no such thing as society. No one speaks to anyone else. No one looks at anyone else. People don’t collaborate, they only compete.

I hate to admit it, but this has had tragic consequences. Unable to satisfy their social urges, the population has fallen into a pit of depression and anxiety. Suicide has become the norm.

It all sounds rather morbid, does it not? But please don’t despair, there is hope, and it comes in the form of our hero: Renee Ann Blanca. Wishing to fill the society-shaped hole in her life, our Renee does the unthinkable: She goes in search of human company! It’s a radical act and an enormous challenge. But that, I suppose, is why her tale’s worth recounting. It’s as gripping as it is touching, and I think you’re going to love it…

Your trusty narrator,

PP (Goodreads)

This is probably one of the strangest dystopian novels I have ever read. Unlike most books in the genre, it does not seem to take itself seriously...at all. I found this to be incredibly refreshing. Then you get to the ending...and things go from your average, interesting dystopia to just plain bizarre really fast.

*I received a digital ARC of this book from Hidden Gems in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3.5/5
Buy: Amazon

Follow Joss Sheldon: Goodreads, Amazon, Official Site

 Glorieta Espinosa doesn’t hate that Papi married Alice, the nice white woman from Texas, or the fact that he’s happy again after years of mourning Mamá. But she hates that the urn containing Mamá’s ashes disappeared into a drawer the day Alice moved in.

She hates that there even is an urn—if only her Tía Diosonita, the town patrona, would overlook the Catholic Church’s strict condemnation of suicide, Mamá could be buried with her family and her community.

If everything about Glory’s life is going to change, then she wants one thing to go her way: this year, she wants to greet Mamá’s spirit during los Días de los Muertos—something that’s only possible if Mamá’s ashes can be buried. So with the help of her best friend Mojo and her prankster cousin Riley, Glory sets out to change her Tía’s mind. To do so, she’ll have to learn to let hate go—and to love the people who stand in her way.

In lovely prose that sparkles with magical undertones, author Kersten Hamilton weaves a tender story about grief, faith, immigration, and the redemptive power of love. (Goodreads)

Image from Goodreads.

Elliot is terrified of almost everything.

From the moment he was born, his life has been governed by acute fear. The only thing that keeps his terrors in check are the pills that he takes every day.

It's Christmas Eve, there's a snowstorm and Elliot's medication is almost gone. His mum nips out to collect his prescription. She'll only be 10 minutes - but when she doesn't come back, Elliot must face his fears and try to find her. She should only be 400 meters away. It might as well be 400 miles... (Goodreads)

Image from IMDB.

When an evil magma demon and his minions steal the sun of a magical world, the new guardians of both the sun and the moon must embark on a quest to retrieve it and save their world from disaster as the moon faces destruction as well. (IMDB)

Alishia:
As soon as I started playing this film I was completely blown away by the stunning and creative imagery. I think it literally made my jaw drop. After ten minutes, I was totally engrossed in the beautiful art, story, and characters. It quickly became one of my favorite animated films. I recommend this movie to anyone who loves animated films because it is just such wonderful quality.

Rating: 10/10

Sarah:
I love when animated films use more than one art style, especially when one is high detail and the other more minimalistic. Both used in Mune are absolutely stunning.  I also adored how imaginative this film was, from the characters to the world itself. Mune is a wonderful and gorgeous movie that I definitely see myself rewatching over...and over...and over again.

Rating: 8.5/10


Buy/Stream: Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play

Image from Goodreads.

The compelling, hidden story of Cathy Williams, a former slave and the only woman to ever serve with the legendary Buffalo Soldiers.

Image & summary from Goodreads.

Seventeen-year-old Perry Teasdale is a dreamer.

She’s not the kind of dreamer who waltzes through fields of wildflowers, twirling her skirts in a starry-eyed daze; or the kind who aspires to be the biggest rock star the world has ever known (not that she’d complain if that accidentally happened). She’s the kind of dreamer who can’t get a decent night’s rest because her sleep is flooded with scenes from other worlds—ones that seem as real as life itself.

After 11-year-old Gitty discovers a man who can grant wishes hiding in her family's silo, she is forced to choose between saving the man's life and protecting her family. (IMDB)

I like what it was trying to be, but it just falls a little flat. The cast, however, was absolutely wonderful. I think they did the best they could with what they had.

Rating: 6/10
Buy/Stream: Amazon, Netflix, Vudu, iTunes, Youtube

Image from Goodreads

America 2151. New York. Washington. Chicago. Los Angeles. All wiped out from nuclear blasts. The New United States of America is centered in Omaha, where the Leviathan Corporation provides a muted, controlled existence for its populace. Synthetic drugs keep them sane. The people are safe - for now - from the threats on the outside. Summoned to the president's office, unlikely hero Thomas Ignatius Stout receives an extraordinary mission: Hunt down and return, dead or alive, the vicious killer responsible for destroying the lives of millions and millions of Americans, Joe Ikowski, who remains a thorn in the government's side. Tom accepts his burden and leads an expedition past Omaha's protective barrier and into the great unknown. That's when Tom's journey really begins. Taking him from Kentucky to Arizona to Mexicali and the Rocky Mountains, Tom finds far more than he is searching for - and starts to learn the deeply complicated, disturbing truths of his own identity and a world in which he had only before scratched the surface. In this poignant page-turner, a novel that blends elements of science fiction, political thrillers, and an Orwellian-style future, rising novelist AM Wilson takes readers on a wild ride inside what could become the future of the United States, if we ruin ourselves from the inside. It's a novel that will make you think, no matter what you think of America. (Goodreads)

I practically devoured this book in one sitting, which has not happened recently due to the current state of my eyes. (I really need glasses...but keep putting it off.) Populace is a wonderfully written dystopian novel that borrows elements from many of the greats (ex. Brave New World, 1984) and successfully builds upon them to create a new, yet familiar world.

*I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5
Buy: Amazon, Findbookprices

Follow A.M. Wilson: Official Site,  Goodreads, Amazon, Twitter, Facebook

Marjorie Glatt feels like a ghost. A practical thirteen-year-old in charge of the family laundry business, her daily routine features unforgiving customers, unbearable P.E. classes, and the fastidious Mr. Saubertuck who is committed to destroying everything she's worked for. Wendell is a ghost. A boy who lost his life much too young, his daily routine features ineffective death therapy, a sheet-dependent identity, and a dangerous need to seek purpose in the forbidden human world. When their worlds collide, Marjorie is confronted by unexplainable disasters as Wendell transforms Glatt's Laundry into his midnight playground, appearing as a mere sheet during the day. While Wendell attempts to create a new afterlife for himself, he unknowingly sabotages the life that Marjorie is struggling to maintain. Sheets illustrates the determination of a young girl to fight, even when all parts of her world seem to be conspiring against her. (Goodreads)

Sheets is a heartwarming little ghost story with an art style that screams 90's nostalgia. Every ounce of me wants to describe Sheets as cute, but that is not the right word at all. The art style immediately caught the full attention of my eyes, which distracted me from the story a bit and overall, I do think I enjoyed the art more than the tale that was being told. That is not to say that it was bad, it is actually very good, just that to me it felt like it was lacking something. I think that considering how much death is technically in the story, I was expecting a darker or more serious tone (because as usual, I did not check to see what genre this was from), but with the realization of it being a middle-grade book, I think the tone is just right.

I received a digital arc of this book thanks to Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5
Buy: Amazon

Follow Brenna Thummler: Official Site, Goodreads, Tumblr, Instagram, Twitter

Image from IMDB.

Toru recalls his life in the 1960s, when his friend Kizuki killed himself and he grew close to Naoko, Kizuki's girlfriend, and another woman, the outgoing, lively Midori.(IMDB)

*WARNING*
This review contains minor spoilers. 

This film adaptation left me with mixed feelings. For the most part, it stuck with the story told in the book. What bothered me the most though, was how much it left out. This movie is over two hours long and instead of using that time to focus on the connection between Toru and Naoko (and Reiko) the majority of it was wasted on "filler" moments and the sex aspects of the story. Storm Trooper was almost completely eliminated and pretty much just shows up as a cameo for those who read the book. Reiko's role was shrunk immensely until the final part of the story. This film sucked out all of the emotion and heart from the book.
As for the actors/actresses, I think they did a great job. The majority of the cast looked pretty much how I envisioned them while reading the book (especially Storm Trooper), with the exception of Kiko Mizuhara as Midori. Her performance is good, it was just one of those cases where a. the actor does not meet the visual I had in my head and b. I associate the actor with another character too strongly and it is distracting. Overall, if you love the book, I would say skip the film. If you haven't read the book though...you might like it, but I'm willing to bet you would like the book better anyway.

Rating: 5.5/6
Buy/Stream: Amazon, Tubi TV (free), iTunes, Youtube

Image from Goodreads.

Toru, a quiet and preternaturally serious young college student in Tokyo, is devoted to Naoko, a beautiful and introspective young woman, but their mutual passion is marked by the tragic death of their best friend years before. Toru begins to adapt to campus life and the loneliness and isolation he faces there, but Naoko finds the pressures and responsibilities of life unbearable. As she retreats further into her own world, Toru finds himself reaching out to others and drawn to a fiercely independent and sexually liberated young woman.(Goodreads)

First, I just want to mention that I made the mistake of reading this and NOT writing down all my thoughts or a review until a month later. Therefore, this review is without a doubt nowhere near as detailed as it should be.
Secondly, I am totally in love with the way Murakami writes. I know I'm reading a translation, but each of his books I have read has this similar flowy/spaceyness to it that just makes it so easy for me to find myself lost in his stories.
Norwegian Wood tackles mental illness in a way that is realistic instead of romantic (like the movie does, unfortunately). Suicides are mentioned, but they never really become the focus, instead just presented as something that sadly happens. The world doesn't stop, it keeps going. The story shows us multiple ways that people deal with this type of tragedy, grieving before being able to move on and the additional tragedy of becoming stuck, unable to continue. I really appreciated how this was dealt with in the book. Something I did find confusing though, was all the comments on the way Toru talks. Nothing he said seemed weird to me, but that may have been something that was lost in translation. He definitely comes off as a very lost young man for the majority of the book and I loved how his moment of "growing up" was done.

Rating: 4/5
Buy: Amazon, Find Book Prices (compares prices from several different online stores)

Follow Haruki Murakami: Official US Site, Facebook

An undercover MI6 agent is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents.*

I absolutely loved the use of the 80's color palette and the mix of 80's new wave songs with covers. Atomic Blonde quickly draws you in to the story, but fails to keep the energy going due to some slow pacing issues. Several scenes are definitely a little longer than they needed to be, which led to me tuning out several times while watching it. This is shame, because the story is actually very intriguing.

Rating:7.5/10
Buy/Stream: Amazon, Youtube

Seventh-grader Zoey has her hands full as she takes care of her much younger siblings after school every day while her mom works her shift at the pizza parlor. Not that her mom seems to appreciate it. At least there’s Lenny, her mom’s boyfriend—they all get to live in his nice, clean trailer.

A biologist signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition into a mysterious zone where the laws of nature don't apply.*

Annihilation is a beautiful and suspenseful sci fi/horror art film that requires multiple views in order to fully appreciate it. Many of the scenes that take place in the Shimmer look like art installations, which is great, but (for me at least), it does become a bit of a distraction. I found myself paying more attention to what was on the screen than to the story itself. It is definitely a weird little movie that is not for everyone, but I enjoyed it.

Rating: 7/10
Buy/Stream: Youtube, Amazon

Two upper-class teenage girls in suburban Connecticut rekindle their unlikely friendship after years of growing apart. Together, they hatch a plan to solve both of their problems-no matter what the cost. (IMDB)

This is a decent thriller. The majority of the film failed to draw me in, but the last half was actually very good. I really enjoyed the use of music and silence and how the film focused more on building suspense than just showing graphic violence (which it could have totally done).

Rating: 6/10
Buy/Stream: Amazon, Youtube

A few years ago, I found a recipe on Pinterest for "healthy peanut butter cookies". Somehow, when you leave out adding any flour to them it makes them healthy. However, considering how much sugar it uses, I disagree with the "healthy" title and think moderation should definitely be used when consuming these yummy snacks.
My favorite thing about this cookie is how easy you can experiment and make them your own. I usually make the batter according to the directions and then save half of it to play around with. I have added things like Nutella, chocolate syrup, and chocolate chips and it has always turned out delicious. This time I tried adding a bit of cocoa powder, which is why the cookies in the images are different colors (the darker ones being the experimental treats).

*As mentioned above, this recipe was found on Pinterest. I have been unable to find the original source, so if you know, please mention it in the comments so I can link to it!

From Academy Award (R)-nominee Hiromasa Yonebayashi - animator on Studio Ghibli masterpieces Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, and Ponyo, and director of When Marnie Was There and The Secret World of Arrietty - comes a dazzling new adventure about a young girl named Mary, who discovers a flower that grants magical powers, but only for one night. Mary is an ordinary young girl stuck in the country with her Great-Aunt Charlotte and seemingly no adventures or friends in sight. She follows a mysterious cat into the nearby forest, where she discovers an old broomstick and the strange Fly-by-Night flower, a rare plant that blossoms only once every seven years and only in that forest. Together the flower and the broomstick whisk Mary above the clouds, and far away to Endor College - a school of magic run by headmistress Madam Mumblechook and the brilliant Doctor Dee. But there are terrible things happening at the school, and when Mary tells a lie, she must risk her life to try to set things right. Based on Mary Stewart's 1971 classic children's book The Little Broomstick, Mary and The Witch's Flower is an action-packed film full of jaw-dropping imaginative worlds, ingenious characters, and the stirring, heartfelt story of a young girl trying to find a place in the world. (Rotten Tomatoes)

Mary and the Witch's Flower is the first full-length feature released by Studio Ponoc, a company founded by former Studio Ghibli producer Yoshiaki Nishimura. This film had several former Ghibli animators working on it, so I had an idea of what to expect when it came to animation. The classic Ghibli style is definitely there, but the story itself just seemed a bit lacking to me. I did not find myself caring about any of the "human" characters in the tale but did find myself heavily invested in the cats Tib and Gib. If the movie had just been about them, I would have probably enjoyed it more. Overall, it felt like Studio Ponoc wanted to use their first official outing to pay tribute to where they came from and I am actually very interested to see what they do next to build their name in one of my favorite genres.

Rating: 6.5/10
Buy/Stream:  Youtube, Amazon

Squeezed into a coat closet with his classmates and teacher, first grader Zach Taylor can hear gunshots ringing through the halls of his school. A gunman has entered the building, taking nineteen lives and irrevocably changing the very fabric of this close-knit community. While Zach's mother pursues a quest for justice against the shooter's parents, holding them responsible for their son's actions, Zach retreats into his super-secret hideout and loses himself in a world of books and art. Armed with his newfound understanding, and with the optimism and stubbornness only a child could have, Zach sets out on a captivating journey towards healing and forgiveness, determined to help the adults in his life rediscover the universal truths of love and compassion needed to pull them through their darkest hours. (Goodreads)

I do not believe I have read a book that was more heartbreaking than Only Child. I found myself with tears in my eyes the majority of the time I was reading it. The reactions are all very human and believable and the mindset of the six-year-old Zach is exactly what I would expect. While his father takes the more silent suffering approach and his mother deals with her grief by focusing all of her anger on the family of the shooter, Zach (who is also dealing with PTSD from surviving the tragedy) deals with grief by listing and separating his feelings so they are no longer "all mixed up". His approach is ultimately the most mature solution and I loved how well the author portrayed this (and how it eventually helps his parents as well). What I appreciated the most about this book though, was how it dealt with the shooter and his family. I have read many other books with this same sort of story (from different point of views) and I am pretty sure this is the first that encouraged sympathy to all in involved. Even better, this is encouraged by a child and helps his family come back together.

Rating: 4.5/5
Buy: Amazon, Abebooks

Book image and summary via Goodreads.

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Ballerina Dominika Egorova is recruited to 'Sparrow School,' a Russian intelligence service where she is forced to use her body as a weapon. Her first mission, targeting a C.I.A. agent, threatens to unravel the security of both nations. (IMDB)


This was an "I want to watch something, but not any of the 30+ movies I have saved in my Netflix queue" movie choice. I did remember being mildly intrigued by the trailers when I first saw them, but I did not have any real expectations on if it would be good or not.
It felt very long to me. There would be extended periods of nothing really happening and then wham bam we have some sort of weird sex stuff or a small torture/fight scene, only to go back to another period of blahness. Overall, I just never felt myself being drawn into the story (which wasn't horrible) or caring about any of the characters. I was also very disappointed by Lawrence's performance. She is absolutely capable of amazing acting that feels real, but in Red Sparrow, she just seemed bored the entire movie, regardless of who she was interacting with. I assume she was trying to pull off being "cold" and it just did not work for me.
I did find it interesting how they used the moments of gore and sex in the film though. It was never "over the top" or glorified and instead was very much just matter of fact. We do not see much of it, which actually made some of the scenes more intense. The ending was also very interesting, but because of how overall monotonous the rest of the film was, it just felt underwhelming.

Rating: 6/10
Buy/Stream: Amazon, Vudu, Google, iTunes

The SEEDS OF CHANGE® brand has been a leader in the organic movement since 1989. We are proud to bring you a complete organic experience, from seed to plate. Our quinoa & brown rice blend is made from certified organic ingredients and is so easy to use: just microwave it for 90 seconds or stir it in the skillet. You’ll love using it in your favorite recipes or whenever you want to add a delicious, nutritious, organic touch to your meals.

Before trying this, my experience with quinoa had been both limited and not that great. This was absolutely delicious though. It is quick and easy to fix and the smell and taste remind me of the Minute Rice cups (chicken flavor).  I tried it with chicken, but think it would also work wonderfully with pork chops or a veggie-based meal. The retail price also happens to be pretty decent, so I can easily see myself adding this as a regular addition to our grocery list.

Rating: 5/5
Buy: Walmart

Image and product summary via PinchMe.

Aldous Huxley's profoundly important classic of world literature, Brave New World is a searching vision of an unequal, technologically-advanced future where humans are genetically bred, socially indoctrinated, and pharmaceutically anesthetized to passively uphold an authoritarian ruling order--all at the cost of our freedom, full humanity, and perhaps also our souls. “A genius [who] who spent his life decrying the onward march of the Machine” (The New Yorker), Huxley was a man of incomparable talents: equally an artist, a spiritual seeker, and one of history’s keenest observers of human nature and civilization. Brave New World, his masterpiece, has enthralled and terrified millions of readers and retains its urgent relevance to this day as both a warning to be heeded as we head into tomorrow and as thought-provoking, satisfying work of literature. Written in the shadow of the rise of fascism during the 1930s, Brave New World likewise speaks to a 21st-century world dominated by mass-entertainment, technology, medicine and pharmaceuticals, the arts of persuasion, and the hidden influence of elites. (Goodreads)

Many find dystopian novels to be either silly or too depressing. However, I find them incredibly interesting and consider the sub-genre to be one of my favorites to read. Regardless, I found myself not entirely looking forward to picking up Brave New World. I spend most of my reading time with modern YA and the transition to classic adult novels can be a bit brutal due to the expanded vocabulary and just overall increased denseness. This usually means I take twice as long to read classic books. Brave New World was different though. I quickly breezed through it and found it difficult to put it down so I could get some sleep. I even had a dream where I was talking about the book to someone...which has never happened before.
As I often find myself doing when I read these types of books, I could not help but find similarities between our world now and the world created by Aldous Huxley. This gave the book a terrifying twist as there are definitely people who exist in our world today that have beliefs that could lead us to a fake utopia that is similar to the one presented in Brave New World. Ultimately, this book left me pondering on the things that make us human and what purpose we serve on this planet. I definitely recommend it to everyone, even if you do not like the genre.

Rating: 5/5
Buy: Amazon, Abebooks

Image and book summary via Goodreads.

Unlike anything else on the market, DayClear® Allergy Relief delivers completely clear, liquid-fast relief when you need it most. This multi-symptom allergy formula is right for those who suffer from mild to severe allergy symptoms and want relief fast. With two powerful and effective active ingredients, you can experience clarity from miserable allergy symptoms for up to 8 hours. DayClear® Allergy Relief provides relief from sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, itchy nose and throat, and cough. (Pinchme)

Active Ingredients:
Chlophedianol HCI - 25 mg (Cough Suppressant)
Pyrilamine Maleate - 50 mg (Antihistamine)

Additional Information:
Contains no dye, sugar, alcohol, or gluten.
Lasts up to 8 hours

The sample I received in my most recent pinchme box was for their one dose bottles, which is a bit bigger than your average energy shot. The smell reminded me of an organic cleaner I have used in the past, which led to me putting off trying this out for several days. The clear liquid is incredibly deceiving, tricking your brain into thinking it will taste of nothing or at that very most, chemically. However, it does indeed have a flavor and I despised it. The watered-down chemically berry flavor tasted absolutely disgusting and left a weird, salty aftertaste that lingered even after eating and brushing my teeth later.
Regardless of this horrible start, I did find myself impressed. Within twenty minutes, I noticed a huge difference when it came to sinus congestion and the need to cough. It did a decent job of stopping my runny nose and I actually liked how it did not completely dry everything out, like several other options I have used previously have done. It did not make me drowsy either, which was something I was worried about. Ultimately, I do not think I would use it as a regular allergy medication. The process of getting it down is just too rough for me. However, I do see myself using it in emergency situations when I needed fast relief and was out of my usual brand.

Rating: 4/5
Buy: DayClear (official site) Amazon, Walmart, CVS


Product information and image via pinchme.com

Wholesome loving care blended for naturally beautiful hair. Our Whole Blends Gentle Shampoo & Conditioner delicately cleanse and nourish for hair that’s soft to the touch and weightlessly hydrated. Tested on Sensitive Scalp. (pinchme)

I have concluded that this brand is just not for me. I have yet to enjoy or feel positive about any of their products. The shampoo sudsed up well and did the basic job of washing my hair and the conditioner left my hair feeling soft at first. After my hair had dried though, my scalp felt incredibly dry and the frizz situation was way out of control. I have this exact same thing happen with other shampoos and conditioners from Garnier, with extended use leading to quite a bit of hair fallout. I was hoping the formula in this would be gentler, but unfortonately, it just wasn't.

Rating: 2/5
Buy: Amazon

Product information and image via pinchme.

On a floating junkyard beneath a radiation sky, a deadly secret lies buried in the scrap.

Eve isn’t looking for secrets—she’s too busy looking over her shoulder. The robot gladiator she’s just spent six months building has been reduced to a smoking wreck, and the only thing keeping her Grandpa from the grave was the fistful of credits she just lost to the bookies. To top it off, she’s discovered she can destroy electronics with the power of her mind, and the puritanical Brotherhood are building a coffin her size. If she’s ever had a worse day, Eve can’t remember it.

Petty criminal Zara Cole has a painful past that’s made her stronger than most, which is why she chose life in New Detroit instead of moving with her family to Mars. In her eyes, living inside a dome isn’t much better than a prison cell.

Still, when Zara commits a crime that has her running scared, jail might be exactly where she’s headed. Instead, Zara is recruited into the Honors, an elite team of humans selected by the Leviathan—a race of sentient alien ships—to explore the outer reaches of the universe as their passengers.

When hard-charging New York newspaper editor Walter Burns (Cary Grant) discovers that his ex-wife, investigative reporter Hildy Johnson (Rosalind Russell), has gotten engaged to milquetoast insurance agent Bruce Baldwin (Ralph Bellamy), he unsuccessfully tries to lure her away from tame domestic life with a story about the impending execution of convicted murderer Earl Williams. But when Hildy discovers Williams may be innocent, her reporter instincts take over. (Google)

They don't make films like this anymore. The chemistry between Grant and Russell is just out of this world amazing, which makes the fast hitting humor feel very natural and realistic.

Rating: 9/10
Watch/Buy: Youtube (free), Vudu, iTunes, Amazon, Tubitv (free)

"Our breakthrough Color Care permanent creme has conditioners built into every step. It gives you 100% gray coverage with real natural looking tones & highlights while being kind to your hair. What's better? It's nice'n easy."

Clairol's "new & improved" formula for nice'n easy hair claims to be allergy gentle and to have a non-drip mixture. This new formula also comes with a floral scent, that upon smelling on the scratch and sniff coupon I received from pinchme.com, had me worried that it would be overwhelming. I was also left a little weary after trying another product a couple months ago. Thankfully though, this experience was a million times better.

What's in the box.

The first thing I really appreciated was the quality of the gloves included in the kit. They are not the best I have used but compared to a good portion of the cheaper box kits, they were wonderful. They did not tear and there was no leakage into the gloves. They also fit me pretty well which is something I struggle with. (I have small chubby hands) Everything was easy to open and mix and I had plenty of product for my hair (shoulder length). The floral scent is actually quite nice and wasn't too strong. It reminded me of a mix of roses and gardenias. However, the star of this hair color kit is definitely the color seal conditioner. It smells absolutely delicious! I used color 2 Black and the results were exactly what I was expecting (yay!). After three washes, the color was still as strong as after I had first used this product. Over the past month, the color has slowly lost intensity and I am just now beginning to notice my roots showing up and some greys popping through, so the longevity is about average in comparison to others I have used.

I started with dark brown.

So, would I use/buy this product again?
Yes.

Rating: 4/5
Buy: Clairol, Walmart, Target

Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn. Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions. White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups. This is Manhattan, 1899. Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan's social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City's elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone--from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud--threatens Elizabeth's and Diana's golden future. With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love.
But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city's gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan's most celebrated daughter disappear... In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent. (Goodreads)

The Luxe begins with the funeral of the main character, Elizabeth. This instantly made me think "no, she can't really be dead. This is one of those overly dramatic tricks." Regardless of whether or not it is a trick, it worked. I was completely pulled into this beautiful world of naivety where everyone is in love/lust with someone they can not have. There is absolutely no way for everyone to have their "happy ending", which leaves you on the edge of your seat wondering who is going to be the lucky one that does.

Rating: 4/5
Buy: Amazon, Abebooks, Harper Collins, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks

Set in Algeria in the 1920s, a rabbi's cat who learns how to speak after swallowing the family parrot expresses his desire to convert to Judaism. (IMDB)

It is not often that a film makes me laugh out loud, let alone several times, but that is actually what The Rabbi's Cat managed to do. The behavior of the cat was realistic (I'm a cat lady...this was important to me.) and the animation style was fantastic. It somehow managed to be both highly detailed and minimalistic at the same time. While the star of the film is technically the cat, the other characters are equally interesting and entertaining.

Rating: 7.5/10
Buy/Watch: Youtube, Amazon, Vudu, iTunes, VRV
Trailer:

Parvana is an 11-year-old girl growing up under the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001. When her father is wrongfully arrested, Parvana cuts off her hair and dresses like a boy in order to support her family. Working alongside her friend Shauzia, Parvana discovers a new world of freedom and danger. With undaunted courage, Parvana draws strength from the fantastical stories she invents, as she embarks on a quest to find her father and reunite her family.  (Rotten Tomatoes)

The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow (Uribyeol Ilho-wa Eollukso) is the bizarre love story of a Korean satellite that turns into a girl and a boy who has changed into a cow after experiencing a broken heart. It sounds insane, I know. However, regardless of how strange it is, the film is shockingly touching. It also happens to be absolutely hilarious, thankfully, in a good way. The people behind this film are incredibly creative. Portraying the legendary wizard Merlin as a roll of toilet paper is something I never, I repeat, NEVER would have thought of, but it works. This is definitely a must-watch film, especially for those who love animation and can handle a bit of weirdness.

Rating: 7.5/10
Watch/Buy: VRV, Amazon
Trailer:

11-year-old orphan, Félicie (Elle Fanning) has one dream - to go to Paris and become a dancer. Her best friend Victor (Nat Wolff), an imaginative but exhausting boy with a passion for creating, has a dream of his own - to become a famous inventor. In a leap of faith, Victor and Félicie leave their orphanage in pursuit of their passions. But - there's a catch, Félicie must pretend to be the child of a wealthy family in order to gain admittance to the prestigious and competitive Opera Ballet School in Paris. And with no professional dance training, she quickly learns that talent alone is not enough to overcome the ruthless, conniving attitudes of her fellow classmates, led by the devious Camille Le Haut (Maddie Ziegler) and her wicked mother Régine (Kate McKinnon). Determined to succeed, Félicie finds her mentor in the tough and mysterious school custodian, Odette (Carly Rae Jepsen) who, along with Victor's encouraging friendship, help her reach for the stars. (Rotten Tomatoes)

I enjoyed two things about this film. First, the animation is very nice and I absolutely loved the lighting. Second, Nora was the only character worth my time (okay...maybe Mattie too). The voice acting, especially for the main characters, is just horrible and in my opinion, the voices did not match very well. The timing of the music was weird/abrupt and what you would expect from a stereotypical animated film. Leap! is so full of overly dramatic moments, that when something that is actually important happens, it does not matter. Overall, it is not the worst animated feature that I have seen, but it is also nowhere near being close to being one of the best. Also...rooftops are not a proper meeting place, I don't care how old you are or what time period it is and the number of times that Victor hits his head is incredibly troubling.

Rating: 5/10
Watch/Buy: Netflix, Amazon
Trailer:

A suit-wearing, briefcase-carrying baby pairs up with his 7-year old brother to stop the dastardly plot of the CEO of Puppy Co. (IMDB)

When I first heard about this movie I had absolutely zero interest in it. After it was released, I began seeing negative reviews everywhere which just confirmed that my initial decision to pass on it was a good one. However, while bored and in need of something to have on in the background, I decided to put it on.
It has problems and there are a few things that made me cringe a bit. Overall though, I am left confused as to why so many people have jumped on the hate bandwagon for this one. If you ever find yourself bored and willing to give something a shot...I definitely recommend giving The Boss Baby a chance.

Rating: 6.5/10
Buy/Watch: Amazon, Netflix, Vudu, iTunes, Google Play

LoliRock follows the journey of young Iris, a spirited teenage girl with a beautiful voice and an unending desire to help others. When Iris joins the girl group LoliRock, her life is changed forever, as a new world of music, mysteries and magical powers is revealed. These three new friends are now bound together by their destinies as magical princesses and a fight against injustice. (IMDB)

Two overly imaginative pranksters named George and Harold hypnotize their principal into thinking he's a ridiculously enthusiastic, incredibly dimwitted superhero named Captain Underpants. (IMDB)

The retelling of France's iconic but ill-fated queen, Marie Antoinette. From her betrothal and marriage to Louis XVI at 15 to her reign as queen at 19 and to the end of her reign as queen, and ultimately the fall of Versailles. (IMDB)

Sarah:

This was a gigantic disappointment. I was expecting a period drama focused on the history of the time and the actual events taking place, but what I got was over 2 hours of a bunch of young adults playing around in fancy dresses and very bad wigs. The soundtrack is great, but does not fit in any way. This film turned Marie Antoinette's life into a bad teen drama and left me disgusted.

Sarah's Rating: 3/10

I agree Kirsten...I agree.

Alishia: Yeah... Sarah pretty much covered it. It was bad enough when the movie opened with jarring modern pop music, but the scene that particularly enraged me was at the masquerade ball when they actually had the characters actively interacting with the music. Who thought this was a good idea? It completely removed me from the immersion and made it feel like I was watching some teen movie homecoming dance. There were so many scenes that were simply unnecessary and redundant, primarily the party and dress up montage scenes. The only positive thing I can say about this movie is that it looks pretty. That's it. I am also left disgusted and incredibly disappointed.

Alishia's Rating: 3/10

Watch/Buy: Amazon, Netflix, Vudu, iTunes, Google Play