I know I've seen this movies plenty of times but it's always nice to watch it again especially at christmas.

Ford vs. Ferrari, starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale is about automative designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) and driver Ken Miles (Bale) who are sent off by Henry Ford II and Lee Iacoca with the mission to build the Ford GT40, a new race car that could defeat the dominant Ferrari racing team at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France. The movie opens up with Shelby, so I initally thought that the film was going to focus on him, but it actually was more focused on Miles. I really didn't know much about Shelby except that he was a retired race car driver who won the Le Mans race in 1959, but retired due to heart conditions. This is a two and a half hour movie and I felt at times it was slow and dragged. I didn't feel like Shelby and Miles were best friends like they were supposed to me, but that could just be because of the actors' chemistry. I only saw this movie because I heard good things about it and it did well, but I don't think it's a movie I'd pick up again, even though the story itself is interesting.

Time travel is real. Everyone, no matter what year you go to, knows that time travel is real. Only cultural geologists, who study history by going to see it for themselves, are allowed to use the five time machines whose origins are shrouded in mystery. For as long as humans can remember, the time machines have allowed you to travel back in time and return to the year you came from. Changing history is possible, but difficult, and very forbidden. The Daughters of Harriet are a group of geologists who secretly work to alter history in order to advance woman's rights in society. Their current project is to make a shift that will result in abortion being legal in the United States. They are at war with the Comstockers, a group of time traveling men who want eliminate rights for women and then destroy the time machines, locking humanity in one timeline forever. A parallel story is told of a group of teenagers in the Los Angeles suburbs circa 1992, who become serial killers that target men who try to sexually abuse girls, and one girl's journey to escape an abusive family.

Part historical fiction and part speculative fiction, Newitz tells a tale with fascinating world-building, plenty of mystery, and an ending that will make you cry. While the cast is racially diverse on the surface, and includes both trans and non-binary characters, all of the women in the Daughters of Harriet story feel like more-or-less the same person, primarily due to poorly written dialogue that lacks subtlety and personality. The intersecting story about the teenage serial killers, which has little-to-no time travel at all, is by far the strongest part of the book, with compelling character development and themes about accountability, agency, trauma, and radical acceptance of the most difficult things to accept in life. This book is worth picking up for these sections alone. If you don't mind moments that can be a little on-the-nose about the author's opinions on which feminist historical figures were better than others, then you should be able to look past the flaws and have a very fun time in a timeline neither better or worse, just different, from our own.

A story about a tide-locked planet called January, where one side always faces the sun. The sun does not rise or set. Day and night are just sides of the planet. The day will incinerate you and the night will freeze you, if the native wildlife doesn't eat you first. January is a planet of extremes. Human settlers have created two cities in the thin sliver of twilight between the day and the night, where it is temperate enough to live. One city is ruled by strict order and artificial cycles of time. Another city is ruled by chaos, with no measurements of time passing at all. 

Sophie, a university student, saves her best friend's life by confessing to a crime she didn't commit, but is exiled into the night as punishment. This was supposed to be an execution, left to be eaten by vicious alien crocodiles, but instead the crocodiles save her life, and she learns they an advanced native civilization called the Gelet, who live deep in the night and communicate through sharing memories. She befriends the Gelet, and wishes to live in their midnight city, far away from the humans who hurt her, but first she owes them a debt.  Mouth, our other protagonist, is a smuggler who brings goods between January's two cities. Mouth is the last of a nomadic community, whose memory she is struggling to honor living among people who know nothing of her culture. Sophie and Mouth's fates soon become intertwined in this novel with incredible world-building, compelling characters, political intrigue, and deep questions about how we relate to one another.

If you like books by Octavia Butler or Ursula K. Le Guin, you will absolutely love this book. If Butler and Le Guin had a baby, it would be Charlie Jane Anders. Fascinating narrative devices compell you to wonder what is truly going on. The story is both action-packed and deeply contemplative. The pacing is excellent and you won't be able to put it down as more and more of the world unfolds. You will be left wanting more.

Tetris as a nonfiction graphic novel. This graphic novel starts out in Russia with Alexey Pajitnov who is the creator of Tetris. He didn’t think much about the influence his game would have. But it did, and that’s why a large part of the book spoke about the various business disputes and negotiations for the rights of Tetris. There was also a personal consequence to the friend of Alexey, Vladimir Pokhilko who was said to co-inventor for Tetris.

For fans of video games or readers of the authors previous work, this is the graphic novel to read. Because other than the invention of Tetris, this book also gives a history of how popular videos games became from Japan to United States. The various consoles like arcade games, console systems and finally portable handheld devices. The influence of Tetris is how it is still so popular, with countless clones and its timelessness. The only issue with this book is how much time is spent dealing wiht the disputes of Teris vs how Alexey eventually took back control of his game. 

Tetris as a nonfiction graphic novel. This graphic novel starts out in Russia with Alexey Pajitnov who is the creator of Tetris. He didn’t think much about the influence his game would have. But it did, and that’s why a large part of the book spoke about the various business disputes and negotiations for the rights of Tetris. There was also a personal consequence to the friend of Alexey, Vladimir Pokhilko who was said to co-inventor for Tetris.

For fans of video games or readers of the authors previous work, this is the graphic novel to read. Because other than the invention of Tetris, this book also gives a history of how popular videos games became from Japan to United States. The various consoles like arcade games, console systems and finally portable handheld devices. The influence of Tetris is how it is still so popular, with countless clones and its timelessness. The only issue with this book is how much time is spent dealing wiht the disputes of Teris vs how Alexey eventually took back control of his game. 

I enjoyed this movie. Its the story of Mister Rogers and how he helped a reporter who was doing an interview with him. It ws a make you feel good movie. Glad I watched it near Christmas. Needed it.

The Glass Castle starring Brie Larson and Woody Harrelson is based on a memoir about Jeanette Walls (Larson) growing up with her father, Rex (Harrelson). Jeanette and her three siblings go from house to house and don't live the best life, but they all have each other. Rex is a drunk, which definitely makes his family struggle. This movie told a beautiful story of Jeanette's life and how she grew from her hard life of little money, an alcoholic father, and a lot of emotional abuse. The movie goes back in time from when she was a kid to a teen to an adult. At times, the movie was sad and hard to watch, but it was done so well. I recommend watching this movie and I'm sad that it took me this long to watch it as The Glass Castle is a story I think is important and needs to be told. I'm curious how the memoir is written as it is strictly in Jeanette's point of view and tells the complete truth when a movie adaptation changes things up.

Suspense. Horror-thriller. Violence. Strong Language. Mental Health Issues. Stalking.

A mentally-challenged fan (John Travolta)  that was robbed of his chance to meet his favorite action hero decides to take matters into his own hands. The movie is a little weird and eeire but it is entertaining. It will hold your interest with the suspense factors.

Comedy. Dysfunctional Family Matters. Christmas Holiday.

This movie didn't seem like your typical holiday movie.  It had alot of other issues going on like drug use, adult affairs, and lack of parenting.  Not a film to watch with the kids,

Not too bad of a book. A little strange. Dead people become zombies all at christmas time. The characters were all interesting. Was just ok for me.

Mr. Right, starring Anna Kendrick and Sam Rockwell, is about Martha (Kendrick) who is unlucky when it comes to relationships, until she meets Francis (Rockwell) who happens to be a hitman. This felt like a different movie for Kendrick, but she was great in it. I did find it weird that she was dating Rockwell's character as they are seventeen years apart in real life, but this movie was fun to watch. It's not a movie that needs to be seen, but it was enjoyable and if you're a fan of these actors, I recommend watching this.

Almost Famous is about a teen boy who accompanies a rock band on their concert tour as he gets the chance to write for Rolling Stone Magazine. This was a coming-of-age film that talked about love, sex, drugs, and friendship. It shows the behind-the-scenes of music life and life in the '70s. In a way, this felt a little unrealistic to me, but I still enjoyed this film. It did feel a bit long, but I think this is still a good movie to watch if you're a fan of the '70s, rock music, and films about teenagers learning about the world through writing and music.

I Still Believe

Inspired by true events. Romance. Drama. Touching. Inspiring. Spiritual. Heartbreaking. Heartwarming. Hope. Faith-based.

A true movie based on life events of Jeremy Camp, a Christian music star. A powerful reminder that in life’s storms, true hope can still be found because  God is always available to us, This reminder is especially important when we are going through heartbreak and in our suffering.

I Still Believe is a  movie that is sure to make you cry, no matter your faith, or lack of.  I STILL BELIEVE is also an encouraging movie about the power of Love.  Love can change one's life and a touch from someone's  life can change the world.

Black Nativity .

Drama. Inspiring. Uplifting. Musical. Spiritual. Heartwarming. Touching. Holiday.

A story of love, hope, faith and forgiveness.

It's Christmastime and Langston (Jacob Latimore), a young man from Baltimore, raised by a  struggling single mother (Jennifer Hudson) is sent to live with his grandparents (whom he's never met).

He is introduced to a whole new world in fast moving New York. His journey is inspiring and emotional.  The songs are encouraging and performed spectacularly. Angela Bassett and Forest Whitaker's roles are awesome as his Christian grandparents. Mary J Blige and Tyrese are also featured. If you like musical and religious based movies ..you will enjoy this film that the family can watch together.  A beautiful version of the birth of Jesus (The story of Christmas).

This is one of the few Children books that is available with Chinese American characters. Ginger and Chrysanthemum are cousins with opposite personalities. Both are preparing for their grandmother's birthday. This book has great illustrations and speaks of a diverse culture where multi-generational families get together to celebrate. There is many representations of Asian cultures that is definitely something that Asian children will find commonality with. There is also the mention of a traditional belief that I find is the first time mentioned in a children's book. This book is good for young readers.

The British shows are more realistic than shows like Law and Order and CSI. The officers are not in full makeup and look like they just hopped out out of a magazine. They look like regular folks with normal everyday problem like everyone else.

Alan Banks is certainly the very leading character, but he is not a loner, but a team player. He is very emotional character and it shows all over his face. He's quite dramatic but it works. I like how he interacts with his team. He has a soft side and is very understanding. Every character in the show has their role which makes the dynamics more intriguing. Also it's  warm and not as slow and depressing as the Swedish Wallander show. I'm just curious to see if  Alan and Annie actually become a couple or not. I have to say DCI Banks is a little more graphic when it comes to showing the victims but not too violent and dark with showing the actual crime. The firsts episodes the Aftermath I didn't really care for was too graphic but I think that 5& 6 episode was my favorite because the real suspect took me by surprise. It was well written and I also liked how they linked Episodes 1& 2 with Episodes 5 &6. I wasn't expecting that at all.

Anyways, it's a good series and I recommend watching the episodes in sequence and without episode splitting, because the crimes are never solved in 1 episode but you have to watch parts 1 and 2 in order to fully understand whats going in each case. I definitely give it a 4 out of a 5.  This is actually my 2nd time watching season 1. Enjoy

Ashley

Funny. Drama. Family Fueding. Holiday.

This wasn't your typical holiday movie. Not alot of merry. However, it had some really funny scenes. One son's version of how he became a instant father is hilarious. Robin Williams always does well in any role that he takes on.  Joel Mchale also does a great job as a father trying to make sure that his son believes in Santa as long as possible. Something that he was robbed of as a child (by his father,,Robin Williams).

A tragic and compelling commentary about minimum wage American workers. The author is Barbara Ehrenreich, an upper income PhD journalist who wrote about her undercover low paid jobs, co-workers, supervisors and trying to get by on minimum wages. Millions of Americans work in low wage jobs with no health insurance doing hard physical work. Why did it take this book to bring them the attention they deserve? Why did this book become a bestseller when minimum wage workers are all around us? The best part of the book is the end: the author’s evaluation, afterword and rebuttals to her critics.

A mute, cleaning woman at a high security government labortory disovers a scaled creature/man that the government is studying. She befriends him and falls in love. Was ok for me, an interesting watch.