It’s been a while since I’ve done an installment of Disney Dinner and a Movie and to be honest, it’s mostly because I’ve done all the easy ones so far. However, let it not be said that I am a quitter as I continue on with more Disney-themed meals. Up next: Bambi! Bambi is a beloved classic and presents one of the saddest moments on the Disney screen. It’s all about spring, baby animals, and lots of herbivorous foods. Lucky for me, I’m vegan so I had some fun with this one. Check out below my interesting interpretation of a  Bambi meal.

I wanted to keep this meal very plant-based and very “forest friendly.” Thumper, the adorable bunny, says a cute little rhyme about eating greens to stay healthy so I went that route. I made a fresh salad with dandelion greens, red onions, citrus, and homemade vinaigrette. Dandelion greens can be very bitter but if you let them soak in the dressing for a little, it makes it so much better. Healthy and delicious!

For dessert I decided to make “bark”. Chocolate bark. Get it? It’s basically just chocolate melted down with whatever you want in it….nuts, dried fruit, etc. Easy and fun. I served it alongside some clover tea. Allegedly it’s good for you but I choose it because it matches the film. Either way, it works.

I’ll be the first one to admit that this may be my most underwhelming of Disney Dinner and a Movie blogs to date but considering the source material, I think I did pretty good. I’m happy to take suggestions for new blogs pairing disney films and food that I have yet to approach.

Netflix seems to be getting better and better and that includes its beloved horror collection. There are some amazing modern classics on there such as It Follows and The Babadook, but those films have garnered mainstream attention. Below are ten very different horror films that have flown under the radar but are definitely worth checking out. All are available to watch on Netflix Instant (US).

1. Hush (2016)

A deaf woman is tormented by an intruder.

Watch if: You hate jump scares and appreciate good storytelling instead.

2. The Invitation (2015)

The worst dinner party you could ever be invited to.

Watch if: You want to be on the edge of your seat guessing what’s going on.

3. The House at the End of Time (2013)

A mother investigates a mystery from her past and gets way more than she bargained for.

Watch if: You like foreign horror with intricate plots.

4. All Cheerleaders Die (2013)

It’s like Mean Girls meet American Horror Story.

Watch if: You like unique horror films with multiple elements including comedy and teenage drama.

5. Deathgasm (2015)

Kind of like Jennifer’s Body but with a male POV, more blood, and way more metal.

Watch if: You like horror comedy and metal music.

6. The Windmill (2016)

Tourists get stranded in a very unfortunate location in Holland.

Watch if: You’re a fan of the typical slasher-movie template.

7. Tales of Halloween (2015)

Another anthology of Halloween-themed horror shorts.

Watch if: You liked Trick r Treat (2007).

8. Honeymoon (2014)

Ygritte and Dr. Frankenstein go on their honeymoon in the woods and everything is so not okay.

Watch if: You want a film that’s going to stick with you.

9. Backcountry (2014)

A man and women go camping and go head-to-head with an angry bear.

Watch if: You like the whole “man vs nature” shtick. 

10. XX (2017)

This is a four-film anthology written by all women, including the directorial debut of St. Vincent.

Watch if: You want to see more women-directed horror films.

Karyn Kusama’s career started out with two films that mostly flew under the radar. While neither Aeon Flux (2005) nor Girl Fight (2000) is lauded with much praise, they’re both solid entertaining pieces. More importantly, both films feature strong female leads. This seems to be a trend in Kusama’s filmmaking and one that I particularly am very fond of.

Kusama has also directed episodes of many different shows such as Halt and Catch Fire, Casual, The Man in the High Castle, Masters of Sex and The L Word. This variety shows her extreme diversity and ability to weave through different genres. She is a continuous presence on our TV screen.

One of my favorite films that she directed is Jennifer’s Body (2009). I personally believe that this movie doesn’t get the credit it deserves for so wonderfully blending multiple genres together. We get horror, comedy, and teenage drama all in one with a fantastic cast. Megan Fox is perfect as Jennifer and Amanda Seyfried plays wonderfully against her. Horror comedy is not easy to do but this is a wonderful example of it.

The Invitation (2015) is one of the best example of a horror-thriller in modern times. The way this film was done is exceptional, and an absolute credit to Kusama. It’s scary, but not in a false or temporary way. It’s creepy and uncomfortably realistic. Most importantly, it keeps you guessing until the very end. This is a film that you will be discussing and recommending long after you watch it.

The segment Her Only Living Son of the film XX (2017) is what made me look into Kusama in the first place. When I realized she had also directed The Invitation, a film I adored, I knew I had to make a spotlight on her. Kusama not only directed, but also wrote, this segment that masterfully combines motherhood with the supernatural. I don’t want to give anything away but please, watch this film.

Kusama doesn’t have anything upcoming listed on IMDB.com but I know that whatever she does next I will purposely search out. Thanks for the entertainment and the sleepless nights Karyn!

As I continue along my list of “movies that were really difficult so I saved them for last” we come to The Little Mermaid. This is definitely one of the most favorite, if not best, Disney animated films. Unfortunately, it presents a bit of a problem for this blog seeing as one of my rules is not to eat any main character. Alas, I digress. Onward to my dinner plans.

I started my meal with a favorite appetizer of mine: seaweed salad. Originally I was going to attempt to make it myself but then I realized I could order some delicious Japanese food and save myself the trouble. Honestly, at this stage in the game, do you expect much more from me? Anyway, it’s seaweed and its yummy and it’s themed.

I was absolutely blanking on what to make for an entree and that’s when my good friend Paul C. stepped in. He kindly shared his recipe for clams. As I do not eat seafood, I can’t vouch for their taste but they’ve gotten great reviews from everyone else so far! Check out his recipe below:

“First we’ll start with the preparation: About an hour or so before you cook them you’ll want to rinse them in cold water and place them in a bowl of ice and a bit of water. Let them sit in there for about an hour or two in order to remove any of the remaining sand or dirt that might be on them.

When it’s time to cook you simply fire up your grill to medium high heat and put them down one by one. When the clams open they’re done. That’s it! The best way to get them off the grill is to use tongs as you move them into a larger bowl – and try to conserve as much of the juice inside as you can. Pro Tip: If the clam has already opened before you put it on the grill DO NOT COOK IT, same for if the clam won’t open after it’s been on the Heat. Those are dead and can be discarded.

Once they’re finished you can either serve them with a side of garlic butter to dip or pour it over them. Some melted butter, diced garlic, parsley and a hint of cayenne pepper/smoked paprika is my go to. Make sure to eat them with some beers and enjoy!”

For a dessert I made these cinnamon-sugar sand dollar cookies (decorated with almonds). Aesthetically, they’re perfect for this film. They didn’t taste great but I believe that’d due to poor execution on my part. Easy and fun, these were a great choice to fit the Little Mermaid theme.

Thanks to some out-side of the box thinking, and mostly thanks to Paul, this Disney Dinner and a Movie turned out pretty well. Hurrah!

This review is of The Spider in the Laurel by Michael Pogach, published in 2015. I won a copy of this book via a Goodreads.com giveaway. I want to thank the author for sending it to me.

Plot: The Spider in the Laurel is the story of historian Rafael Ward’s adventure. Ward lives in the post-religious Citizen’s Republic of America. He is a professor who is recruited by the Relic Enforcement Command to help track down and destroy religious artifacts. However, the people and stories along the way cause him to doubt his allegiances.

Review: The Spider in the Laurel is Michael Pogach’s debut novel but you couldn’t necessarily tell this. The story has similarities to the themes of many Dan Brown books: religious adventure mystery thrillers, but it mixes in dystopia in a unique way. It’s not quite as polished as uber-author Dan Brown’s religious-thrillers but it didn’t come off as amateur either. The stories were mostly unfamiliar to me but well-researched and believable. The descriptions of  the European cities the main characters travel through were thorough and delighting. This book made me want to take a tour of some ancient churches in Italy and France.

The characters in the book were generally well-written and mostly well-rounded and the main character is an easy lead to latch on to. There were times, however, when I questioned the motivation (or perhaps couldn’t properly understand it) of some of these characters and their actions. More importantly, some of the storylines felt rushed. I did feel as if the first part of the book perhaps happened too slowly and the second too quickly. The ending in particular heaped a lot of information on the reader all at once and I had to reread some passages to understand what was going on. That being said, the final parts of the book do deliver a good punch-in-the-gut, once you figure them out.

Conclusion: The Spider in the Laurel was a fascinating spin of religious dystopia where atheism reigned supreme. It had a great mix of action, history, and character development that made the story quite enjoyable. I would suggest this story to those are fans of more adult-themed dystopias (not the teenage hero kind) and those who enjoy religious themed mysteries. This book is labelled as being the first in the Rafael Ward series and I would be happy to read the next one should Pogach continue.

A few years back I brought you 31 Days of Halloween Films. Today I present with 10 more great choices to watch during the most wonderful time of the year.

10. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)

This Disney classic is perhaps the best film from their package era and combines two classic pieces of literature into one Fall fun-filled animated romp.

9. Corpse Bride (2005)

Another Tim Burton animated Halloween classic, this time about Johnny Depp getting involved with several women, one of them a corpse.

8. E.T. the Extraterrestrial (1982)

This Spielberg classic is perfect to curl up on the couch with a pack of Reese’s Pieces and watch during the cold October night.

7. The Guest (2014)

This thriller mystery drama cumulates on the night of Halloween and the effects of the holiday only enhance the amazing storyline.

6. Donnie Darko (2001)

This cult film is often associated with Halloween and I’m sure those of you who are fans of it already watch it every year.

5. Goosebumps (2015)

Get ready for a whopping dose of nostalgia wrapped up in kooky characters and a fun film. This will make you want to go back and re-read the series.

4. 31 (2016)

Rob Zombie’s latest feature is about carnival employees who must survive Halloween day after being kidnapped and stalked by clowns. Seems about right.

3. Fun Size (2012)

Sometimes celebrating the spirit of getting candy wearing costumes is more fun than getting scared. This is a family-friendly feature with all the right flair.

2. The Crow (1994)

There may be a remake on the way but this will always be a cult favorite, especially for those who like the darker, grittier side of the holiday.

1. Tales of Halloween (2015)

It may not be Trick r Treat but it’s a damn good Halloween anthology on its own right. Definitely a must watch in the season.

Books can give us some of the best films and television shows and each year the most popular and well-read stories are adapted to the silver screen. Not surprisingly, and not unlike almost every other aspect of entertainment, the scaled seemed to be screwed to the male side. We all know it’s extra difficult for women, be them directors, actresses, or authors.  Below I present to you ten upcoming movies and mini-series based on powerful stories all authored by females that I think you should keep an eye out for.

1. Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsey

This cult-classic of books was made into a film in the 70’s. This time around, it will be a miniseries starring the one and only Natalie Dormer. The story follows a girls boarding school in the early 20th century in Australia after some students go missing at a picnic.

2. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

I am very excited to hear that Kristin Hannah’s epic WWII story will be turned into a film by Michelle MacLaren. The book is about two sisters in Nazi-occupied France and is quite a page-turner. Check out my fan-cast here.

3. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath’s classic tale of mental illness will be adapted once more on screen. This time, Kirsten Dunst will direct and Dakota Fanning, Patricia Arquette, and Jesse Plemons will star.

4. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Amy Adams, my personal favorite actress, will star in this highly-anticipated miniseries about a reporter who returns to her hometown and must confront her past. If it’s anything like Gone Girl, this will be a huge hit.

5. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Thomas’s first novel opened at number one on The NYT young adult best-seller list. Amandla Stenberg is attached to star in this novel about police brutality and black culture. This one is hotly anticipated.

6. Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Cate Blanchett, Kristen Wiig and Judy Greer are attached to this dramady. The story follows a young woman who is trying to track down her mother and dealing with the things that she learns along the way.

7. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
   
   

This classic fantasy adventure is finally being adapted for the big screen. The stellar line-up includes director Ava DuVernay, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, and Oprah Winfrey.

8. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Renamed Love, Simon as a film, this drama is an LGBT coming-of-age story that features some of today’s most talented up-and-comers including 13 Reasons Why’s Katherine Langford.

9. Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

Reese Witherspoon’s female-focused company has its eye on adapting this book about a New York Woman whose life faces trauma and upheaval. No one is yet attached to star but it’s getting quite a bit of buzz nonetheless.

10. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

This Young Adult novel will be directed by first-time director Kate Maberly. The story will star Maisie Williams as a teenage living in a post-zombie apocalypse society.

With the success of Murder on the Orient Express, it was announced that there will be another Agatha Christie story put to film. This time it will be Death on the Nile. Below is my take on who should star in the upcoming film.

Kenneth Branagh returning as Hercule Poirot, the famous detective

Camila Mendes as Jacqueline de Bellefort, a mysterious young woman

Bill Skarsgård as Simon Doyle, the leading heartthrob 

Lili Simmons as beautiful heiress Linnet Ridgeway

Angela Bassett as American novelist Salome Otterbourne

Kiersey Clemons as her daughter, Rosalie Otterbourne

Kristin Scott Thomas as Mrs. Allerton

Grant Gustin as her son, Tim Allerton

Steven Yeun as Andrew Pennington, Linnet’s American trustee

Analeigh Tipton as Linnet’s maid, Louise Bourget

Sherilyn Fenn as American socialite Marie Van Schuyler

Indira Varma as Miss Van Schuyler’s nurse, Miss Bowers

Grace Gummer as Cornelia Robson, who is shy and clumsy

Jonathan Tucker as Mr. Ferguson, an outspoken Socialist

Giancarlo Giannini as Archaeologist Signor Richetti

T.J. Miller as James Fanthorp who is smart but quiet

Thomas Kretschmann as Austrian physician Dr. Bessner

If you’d like to check out my similar post for the Snow White fairytale, click here.

La Belle et la Bête (1946)

Watching this film feels like you’re inside a fairytale. It was more like a beautiful piece of art than a film. The changes to the tale that I won’t go into detail about to avoid spoilers give it a much more poignant and important feeling. If you are a fan of the story and haven’t seen this version yet, stop what you’re doing and go watch it. This version Belle is a bit less appealing and there are some moments that border on hokey, but overall this can be considered a masterpiece of fairy-tale film. A

Trivia: The costumes were manufactured at the workshop of the famous Paris couture house of Jeanne Lanvin, with the men’s costumes under the supervision of Lanvin designer Pierre Cardin (IMDB).

Beauty and the Beast (1987)

This film was simply not good. It’s the French version, similar to the 1946 and 2014 films also on this list. However, it’s poorly made and incredibly poorly acted. The singing was beyond awful and I admit to doing my fair share of fast-forwarding. I give the movie minor credit for the faithfulness to the original tale and the beautiful costume design. Other than that, pass. D-

Trivia: The movie was filmed entirely in Israel. (Wikipedia)

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

I’m not going to bother convincing you of why this movie is amazing or even telling you about it, because you’ve all seen it. Amazing characters, a fantastic voice cast, timeless songs; this is one of Disney’s proudest achievements. When it comes down to it, you can’t beat Disney’s animated classic for a better fairy-tale story. A+

Trivia: It is the only animated film to be nominated for Best Picture Oscar without being nominated for Best Animated Feature, as the latter category had not been created at the time (IMDB).

Beauty and the Beast (2009)

No one can be surprised that this SyFy Channel original movie didn’t go over too well. Estella Warren makes a very beautiful Belle but beyond that, there’s nothing really great to say about this one. This is a loose adaptation of the original story where Belle and the Beast work together to prove that Beast is not responsible for a series of crimes. It’s SyFy so, what do you expect? F

Trivia: The project was filmed in Australia at locations on the Gold Coast and at studios at the Village Roadshow Studios adjacent to Warner Bros. Movie World in Queensland. (Wikipedia)

La Belle et la Bête (2014)

I was looking forward to watching this film for a long time before I finally got a chance to thanks to Netflix and it did not disappoint. Perhaps the most visually stunning of the films on this list, Le Belle et la Bete felt like a fairytale come to life. The casting was perfect and the use of the original French version of the story made me very happy. The movie managed to incorporate its own sense of magic and mystery completely different from Disney. I also really like how they used flashbacks to define The Beast’s character. My only complaint is that they could have built up the relationship between Belle and the Beast a bit more but hey, we knew the end of the story already. This was my personal favorite of all the live-action versions. A

Trivia: Perduras is a new character that was created for this movie only. (IMDB)

Beauty and the Beast (2017)

This film can definitely be considered a successful live-action adaptation of the Disney classic. It stuck very closely to the animated version, which is a good thing considering how amazing that story is. I personally hated the additional songs that were written specifically for this version.The singing isn’t nearly as strong as the animated version and it does get a bit tedious to see the same exact scenes played out. However, this is a fantastic film that anyone can enjoy. A-

Trivia: Alan Menken, who scored Beauty and the Beast (1991), returned to score this live-action adaptation, which includes new recordings of the original songs, in addition to new songs written by Menken and Tim Rice. (IMDB)

There are some wonderful classic vampire stories out there, led by the amazing Dracula and followed up by modern favorites such as Interview with a Vampire. I enjoy reading about vampires (at least the non-sparkly kind). I find them spooky, gothic, and usually sophisticated in their own way. People have been writing about these creepy figures for as long as there have been stories. Below I have collected ten short stories featuring vampires that are in the public domain and available for anyone to read.

Wake Not the Dead by Johann Ludwig Tieck (~1800) can be read online here

The Vampyre by John Polidori (1816) can be read online here

Clarimonde by Théophile Gautier (1836) can be read online here

Varney the Vampire by J.M. Rymer and T.P. Prest (1847) can be read online here

Vikram and the Vampir by Richard F. Burton (1870) can be read online here

Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (1872) can be read online here

The Vampire Maid by Hume Nisbet (1900) can be read online here

Count Magnus by M.R. James (1904) can be read online here

Aylmer Vance And The Vampire by Alice and Claude Askew (1914) can be read online here

The Vampire Cat by Gerard Van Etten (1918) can be read online here

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Published in 1959, the book was a finalist for the National Book Award. The story follows a group of people who are staying at an 80-year old mansion, Hill House, and studying paranormal activity. Dr. Montague has put together the expedition which includes possible psychic Theodora, shy and awkward Eleanor, and the young man who is heir to the house, Luke. The story mostly takes place from Eleanor, or Nell’s, point-of-view. As you read, you notice how she is falling apart mentally while the house shows more and more symptoms of paranormal activity. My favorite thing about this story is the relationships between the characters. They feel so real and honest that you truly believe, and are therefore invested in, everything happening. The Haunting of Hill House is known to be one of the best modern ghost stories ever written and it manages to do so without actually having any straightforward horror. That is, in my opinion, what makes the book so genius.

The Haunting (1963)

The first film adaptation of the book was directed by Robert Wise and stars Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, and Russ Tamblyn. It says very faithful to the book, with the exception of cutting things that don’t fit and some editing around the doctor’s wife (but I wasn’t fond of that character or storyline anyway). The one thing I missed from the book in this film was the closeness between Nell and Theo. In the book, it’s clear (at least to me) that there are romantic feelings between the two. Since the film was made in the 60’s, that sort of thing was considered taboo and severely cut down. Nitpicking aside, The Haunting is one of the most classic horror movies out there and did a good job conveying the uncertainty and tension of Jackson’s fantastic novel.

The Haunting (1999)

This version is much different from the original tale. The four main characters are there, as is the haunted house, but so is a lot more. In typical 90’s fashion the film features fantasy elements and gruesome deaths. Starring Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Owen Wilson and Lili Taylor, the film has dismal ratings and even some Razzie nominations. It’s not the worst horror movie ever made, but it’s pretty darn campy. If that’s your thing, then enjoy. Otherwise, stick the the 1963 version.

Coming Soon: The Haunting of Hill House (Netflix series)

Since this project is in-development, there isn’t too much known about it yet. Writer-director Mike Flanagan is adapting the book into a ten-episode modern re-telling. The show’s cast list includes Carla Gugino, Annabeth Gish, McKenna Grace, Timothy Hutton, and Michiel Huisman. While I’m wary of the inevitable changes, I’m trying to keep an open mind about this. Hopefully they will follow the novel’s lead and realize that when it comes to horror, “less is more.”

My Casting Wish List

Lastly, just for fun, if I was going to make this book into a film or mini-series, here’s who I would cast: Ruth Negga as Nell, Irrfan Khan as Dr. Markway, Bridget Regan as Theo, and Lucas Till as Luke.

I really love reading. I love books, I love exploring new authors and genres, and I love making lists. I also love Harry Potter. When you put all of these interests together, what do you get? Personalized reading lists based on which Harry Potter House you identify with! Enjoy!

Gryffindor

“You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart”
—The Sorting Hat

How-To: How to Overcome Fear by Marcos Witt

Biography: The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris

Shakespeare: Henry V

Gothic: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Folklore: Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm

Fantasy: Beowulf

Classic: The Call of the Wild by Jack London

British: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Middle-Grade: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Contemporary: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Slytherin

“Or perhaps in Slytherin,
You’ll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means,
To achieve their ends.”
—The Sorting Hat

How-To: How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Biography: Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

Shakespeare: Othello

Gothic: Dracula by Bram Stoker

Folklore: One Thousand and One Nights

Fantasy: 1984 by George Orwell

Classic: Lord of the Flies by William Golding

British: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Middle-Grade: Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie

Contemporary: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin

Hufflepuff

“You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,
And unafraid of toil”
—The Sorting Hat

How-To: How to Be Happy (or at Least Less Sad) by Lee Crutchley

Biography: The Autobiography Of Eleanor Roosevelt

Shakespeare: King Lear

Gothic: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Folklore: The Complete Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales

Fantasy: The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Classic: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

British: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Middle-Grade: The Giver by Lois Lowry

Contemporary: The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Ravenclaw

“Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you’ve a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind.”
—The Sorting Hat

How-To: How to Learn Anything Quickly by Ricki Linksman

Biography: Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson

Shakespeare: The Tempest

Gothic: Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

Folklore: The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Fantasy: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Classic: Candide by Voltaire

British: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

Middle-Grade: Matilda by Roald Dahl

Contemporary: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Directed by: Paco Plaza (known for the REC film series)

Starring: Sandra Escacena as Verónica, Bruna González as Lucía, Claudia Placer as Irene, Iván Chavero as Antoñito and Ana Torrent as Ana.

Plot: Some teen girls decide to mess around with a Ouija board and a spirit attaches itself to one of them, Veronica, who must fight to protect her family against it.

Is it a good film?

Yes. This is a great film. The plot is semi-typical but that’s what makes it so realistic. We all were warned not to mess with the Ouija because this is the kind of freaky stuff that happens if you do. The film is beautifully shot and scares you in the right ways. We always see just enough horror to freak us out without going over the top. The apartment layout was a genius way to bring extra tension to the film as well. The acting was most impressive, however; especially Escancena as the titular Veronica. I have never seen an ensemble of so many young children and talented teens that was so well done in a horror film. I will pretty much watch anything Sandra Escacena decides to star in from now on. Ana Torrent, while underused, was also great, but Escacena carried this film perfectly.

Verónica is a great horror film as well, and I make this distinction on purpose. In most horror films, I find there to be an invisible line of believability that becomes crossed, usually somewhere in the 3rd Act, leaving the audiences less afraid and then unattached from the story. Whether it’s the moment you actually see the monster or a cliche deus ex machina, this is a typical point of a horror plot. Verónica did not have this moment. I was suspended with the plot, scared and intrigued, for the entire 105 minutes. This is how you tell a horror story without overdoing it. Bravo Mr. Plaza.

Is it a scary film?

Verónica is being hailed as Netflix’s scariest film and that might be true, if only because horror is so subjective and many people are scared witless by a well-executed demonic film. I consider myself to be a die-hard horror fan and as such, there are very few films that actually scare me. Most don’t leave any lasting effects anymore. That being said, I wasn’t afraid to turn off the light at night but Verónica certainly had me hiding behind my hands during the film much more than most recent horror films I’ve seen. The subtlty in decision-making brings just the right type of scares for this kind of film and it seems perfectly balanced between seeing and believing.

Overall Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

2018 has shown us some great films based on books so far including Ready Player One, A Wrinkle in Time, and Annihilation. We’re not even halfway through the year yet though and there are plenty more adaptations to come!

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Release Date: April 20, 2018

Based on a novel of the same name, Lily James stars as a London reporter who visits a small town and learns about life during German-occupation in WWII.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Release Date: May 19, 2018 (HBO)

HBO’s take on the classic dystopian tale stars two famous Michaels: Michael B. Jordan and Michael Shannon.

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Release Date: August 17, 2018

This popular novel is being adapted into a romantic comedy about a girl who finds out she’s dating one of Singapore’s most eligible bachelors.

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

Release Date: August 31, 2018

Based on the suspenseful novel, The Little Stranger introduces us to Dr. Faraday and the distinguished family who live in the very old and possibly-haunted Hundreds Hall. 

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Release Date: September 14, 2018

The most recent of the Young Adult dystopian trend features teens with superpowers who are runaways from detainment camps.

Boy Erased by Garrard Conley

Release Date: September 28, 2018

Starring Nicole Kidman, Boy Erased concerns a young man who must choose between gay conversion therapy and the support of his family and friends.

The Girl in the Spider’s Web by David Lagercrantz

Release Date: October 19, 2018

The popular Millennium series is being rebooted with a new cast, including Claire Foy as the mysterious Lisbeth Salander.

My Heart is My Own: The Life of Queen of Scots by John Guy

Release Date: November 2, 2018

Retitled ‘Mary, Queen of Scots’, this film has two Oscar-nominated ladies playing the infamous Mary and her cousin Queen Elizabeth I.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

Release Date: TBD 2018

Shirley Jackson’s eccentric novel follows a very unique family and a very unreliable narrator. 

Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys

Release Date: TBD 2018The book is being made into a film called Ashes in the Snow about a family deported to Siberia during WWII.

The official definition of Disney’s Golden Age is “the beginning of the Disney Animated Canon.” This includes the first five feature-length animated movies from Walt Disney. It’s followed by the often-forgotten Package Era, which includes films made during War time 1940’s. Below is my personal ranking of these five classic Disney films that make up The Golden Age.

5. Dumbo (1941)

I will admit that I hate this movie because of personal bias. I am a huge advocate against wild animals in entertainment, specifically elephants and other large animals being used by circuses. Every time I see the scenes of the poor Mama elephant caged up I break into tears. That being said, I also believe this film ranks last for other reasons. Does anyone really remember the plot of this movie? Sure, you remember Casey Jr. the train or the uber-cute big-eared Dumbo, but what really happens? Animal cruelty, that’s what.

4. Bambi (1942)

Bambi is a cute film with arguably one of the saddest Disney moments ever. It’s sweet and adorable and fun and I have no real complaints. Plot-wise, I don’t think Bambi can hold up to the some of the others of this Age, but it’s Bambi and it’s a classic. Who doesn’t love baby animals?

3. Fantasia (1940)

I truly believe that Fantasia does not get nearly the credit it deserves. I used to watch this film over and over as a kid and even today an awed by the animated beauty the film presents with each different segment. You can’t top the music either: Beethoven and Tchaikovsky!

2. Pinocchio (1940)

Pinocchio gives us some of the longest-lasting Disney icons including the fantastic Jiminy Cricket and the the classic song When You Wish Upon a Star. The story is equal parts fun, family-orientated, and terrifying.

1.Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

The ultimate classic. The original princess. The one that started it all. The iconic princess, HBIC villain, amazing seven dwarves. Not to mention the use of color and the fantastic soundtrack. There’s a reason this movie is so famous, and it’s not only because it was the first. With Snow White, Disney set its bar high.

The Wicked Deep is the first novel by Shea Ernshaw. It tells the story of the Oregon town of Sparrow, which suffers from a deadly curse each year. In the 19th century three sisters were sentenced to drown for witchcraft. Every June since, they come back as spirits to drown boys of the town by inhabiting the bodies of young women who live there. Penny Talbot must figure out how to protect the new guy, Bo, from becoming the next of the Swan sister’s victims.

The book is a page-turner for sure; it’s easy to read and great at building the creepy atmosphere of Sparrow. The curse is incredibly unique and fun to read and speculate about. The main character, Penny, is pretty average, luckily avoiding most of the Mary Sue cliches. The new-boy with a secret trope is strong with this one, making love interest Bo pretty one-dimensional. My favorite characters were the infamous Swan sisters, murdered two centuries ago and destined to come back as killer femme fatales.

I felt the end of the book to be a bit rushed and incomplete. There was a major twist that I really liked in theory, but thought was poorly executed. All in all, The Wicked Deep is a stand-out from most of the supernatural teen tales being churned out these days. Despite its flaws, this is a story that is worth reading. 3.5 stars

Netflix recently won the rights to bring The Wicked Deep to the screen. I personally don’t see it as a series of films or even a series in general, but I think it would make a pretty awesome movie. Below, I humbly present to you my choices for the casting of The Wicked Deep:

Anya Taylor-Joy as Penny Talbot, our leading lady who is wary of the town’s curse

Charlie Rowe as Bo Carter, the mysterious new guy in town

Rachel Shelley as Penny’s mom, who is still unsettled by her husband’s disappearance

Alisha Boe As Rose, Penny’s kind and sweet best friend

Bella Thorne as Olivia, a daring, popular girl

Olivia Holt as Gigi, the town’s homecoming queen

Then there are the three Swan sisters, doomed to curse the island for centuries by inhabiting the bodies of young girls and drowning their male classmates:

Holland Roden as Marguerite Swan, the oldest sister

Madelaine Petsch as Aurora Swan, the middle sister

Annalise Basso as Hazel Swan, the youngest sister

I’m Jamie and I like science. I also like reading about science, which can certainly be boring and difficult if you choose the wrong sources. So today I bring you five different nonfiction books about various scientific topics that I recommend to interested readers.

If you like meteorology and statistics about storms, you should read:

Freaks of the Storm: From Flying Cows to Stealing Thunder: The World’s Strangest True Weather Stories by Randy Cerveny

Climatologist Randy Cerveny not only explains the “how” behind some of the weirdest weather events, but presents us with a rich history peppered with examples of weather gone bad or wild. 

If you want something short and easy to understand written by a famous scientist then: 

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil DeGrasse Tyson

One of the most famous modern scientists breaks down the basic concepts of astrophysics in a quick and interesting read containing his trademark humor.

If you are interested in the scientific possibility of ghosts and the afterlife, check out:

Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife by Mary Roach

Imagine if Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Frankenstein tried to prove that ghosts exist. This book explains how history has tackled the topic and crazy experiments along the way.

If you’re into conservation and want to be inspired to save the planet then go for:

The Future Of Life by Edward O. Wilson

This is one of my all-time favorite books and helped inspire me to save the planet. It provides a good balance of depressing statistics about disappearing species and heartwarming success stories on how to save them.

If you like like dinosaurs and don’t mind getting deep into paleontology and evolution then how about:

The Tyrannosaur Chronicles: The Biology of the Tyrant Dinosaurs by David Hone

This is the ultimate book for T-Rex lovers who had had a few classes in reptile anatomy and evolution. Even the “boring” parts aren’t actually boring enough to stop you from learning more about these magnificent creatures.

In a not particularly surprising development, it has been announced that the ever-popular Baby-Sitter’s Club will be getting a new and improved television show. The books, and presumably the show, deal with issues such as crushes, school, self-confidence, divorce, race relations, and more. I was an uber-fan of the books growing up and do love a re-watch of the successful 90s film every now and then. Combine that with my affinity for creating useless Casting Call lists and, here we go.

Note: In the books these girls are mostly around thirteen years old but I’m bumping up the ages for my Casting Call, as I hope they do for the show. Honestly, who wants a 13-year old watching their infant?

Joey King as sporty leader of the gang Kristy.

Auli’i Cravalho as usually-shy yet always loyal Mary-Anne.

Kayla Maisonet as fashion-obsessed cool girl Stacy

Tiffany Espensen as funky artist Claudia

Sabrina Carpenter as environmentally-conscious Dawn

Riele Downs as ballet star Jessi

Madison De La Garza as aspiring writer Mallory

Ty Simpkins as love-interest and occasional baby-sitter Logan

This blog’s review is of one of the best known stories of all time and one of my personal favorites: Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Since this story needs no introduction nor explanation, let’s jump right in.

Romeo and Juliet (1936)

This version was very much old Hollywood-like. It had a bit of “overacting” and it was painfully obvious how old the actors were, especially Romeo. That being said, they were all talented orators and delivered the dialogue superbly, especially Norma Shearer as Juliet. While there is nothing wrong with this version per say, it’s not the one I would choose to revisit. Overall, it was a good film, successful in delivering Shakespeare’s classic tale. A-

Trivia: Despite playing teenagers, at the time of this film’s release, Leslie Howard was 43 years old and Norma Shearer was 34 years old.

Romeo and Juliet (1968)

This version of the play is perhaps the most quintessential one of all, and with good reason. It has incredible acting performances by (mostly) age-appropriate actors. It follows the original dialogue and the sets and costume design are distinctly realistic. While it might not be my personal favorite of all the films on this list, I have to admit it’s objectively the best and most polished film version of Shakespeare’s famous play to date. A+

Trivia: This is the last Shakespearean film to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Disclaimer: This is one of my all-time favorite films. I have watched it dozens of times and could watch it a dozen more. I hope I’m not being biased when I say it’s an incredibly well-done, well-adapted, and well-shot film. Set in modern-day, this movie seamlessly combines Shakespeare’s original dialogue with the grittiness of guns and drugs. Some people are put off by the time change, and others by the garish nature of the storytelling. That being said, it’s a damn good film, bias or not. A

Trivia: The film runs for exactly two hours, in line with the prologue which states: “Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage”.

Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013)

I want to start off by saying I’m not usually a Bollywood fan so I’m probably not the best person to review this film. Technically it was stunning; the colors, the scenery, the camera-work. The two leads were also striking beautiful and had very believable chemistry. While at first I found it a bit hokey and even tasteless at first (there are quite a bit of modern-day sex jokes) it ironed out those issues as the film went on. Both leads are incredibly talented and I may be in love with Deepika Padukone after watching this. This is definitely the most interesting twist on the tale and managed to deliver the same story but in a very unique way. B+

Trivia: Deepika Padukone (Juliet) and Ranveer Singh (Romeo) began dating after working on this film.

Romeo & Juliet (2013)

The production value of this version was astounding; sets, costumes, music were all amazing. Most of the older actors were solid, especially Paul Giamatti. Steinfeld and Booth weren’t terrible but they also weren’t quite good enough. The balcony scene was particularly lackluster and felt like it was done by high-schoolers. The biggest problem was how they changed some of the dialogue. Some of the most famous and my personal favorite lines were missing or modernized. If you’re going to do an adaptation, go all in and change it up, but if you’re going to make “Romeo and Juliet” then do it right. It’s condescending to think that modern audiences couldn’t or wouldn’t want to understand Shakespeare’s original dialogue. C+

Trivia: In other versions of Romeo and Juliet, the Capulets wear red while the Montagues wear blue. In this film, it is the opposite.

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus is a Young Adult mystery novel about five high-schoolers who go to detention and one does not make it out alive. The novel is told through different first-person POV of the four living students as the town tries to figure out what happened who is guilty. It turns out that they all have secrets to hide.

The description of the book as as The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars is what drew me in and I stand by that description. This was an excellent mix of teenage drama and unsolved murder. The author did a great job at developing the characters and their secrets at a steady pace. As the story goes on we learn more about the characters and the secrets they are all hiding. While some of those secrets, including a major twist, was easily spotted from the beginning, there were other surprises that knocked the wind out of me.

Universal Cable Productions picked up rights to the story and according to reports, E! Will be developing it into a series. Below I present my humble opinions as to who should be cast in the roles for One of Us is Lying:

Isabella Gomez as Bronwyn, the good girl who is focused on school

Owen Teague as Nate, the rebel who is already on probation

Olivia DeJonge as Addy, the popular girl with the perfect boyfriend

K.J. Apa as Cooper, the Southern all-star athlete

David Dobrik as Simon, the gossip-monger outcast

Paris Berelc as Keely, Cooper’s girlfriend

Nick Robinson as Jake, Addy’s boyfriend

Madison Davenporte as Janae, Simon’s only friend and another outcast

Jacob Latimore as T.J., the new guy