Beforeigners

IMDb writes, "HBO Nordic's first original series from Norway, Beforeigners is about two persons who mysteriously appear in Oslo. They are the first of many from the past to seek refuge in present time. Seven years later the community is transformed". A viking shield maiden joins the police and together they solve a crime and try ot help each other with their skeletons. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Sad Hot Girls

Season 1 from Vogue on Hulu and other videos on YouTube. Women in Hollywood speak about dates, dating, and romance. It's kind of funny. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Blow the Man Down

On Amazon, recommended by my mother. IMDb writes,"Mary Beth and Priscilla Connolly attempt to cover up a gruesome run-in with a dangerous man. To conceal their crime, the sisters must go deep into the criminal underbelly of their hometown, uncovering the town's darkest secrets". All in all, I say: SKIP IT - I thought it was too slow.

Jay and Silent Bob Reboot

Why? No, just no. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Monstress

Amazon describes the plot as, "The richly imagined world of MONSTRESS is an alternate matriarchal 1900s Asia, with an art deco-infused steampunk aesthetic that's brimming with arcane dangers. Within it, a teenage girl struggles to overcome the trauma of war, a task that's made all the more difficult by her mysterious psychic link to an eldritch monster of tremendous power―a connection that will transform them both, and place them in the crosshairs of both human and otherworldly powers.". It was gross - if it hadn't been so graphic it would have been better. Too disturbing for me. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Rosie Stronger than Steel

Amazon describes the plot as, "A brave tractor farms for freedom in a story inspired by women who acted with courage and strength in American factories and on British farms during World War II.

This is our Rosie,
stronger than steel.
She’ll plow all the land
with a turn of her wheel.

Built by women in the United States and sent to England to dig and plow alongside female farmers during World War II, Rosie the tractor does whatever is needed to support the war effort. She works day and night to help grow crops for the troops…even when she has to hide in the fields. This is because she knows, like the women who built her and the women who farm with her, that they all must do their part.

Inspired by the group of American women collectively known as “Rosie the Riveter” and the British Women’s Land Army, this is a story about taking action and coming together for the greater good". It's a kids book, but with a lot of historical information in the back. The illustrations aren't bad either. All in all, I say: READ IT

Bone Parish

A family is involved in the dealing and cooking of a new kind of drug. A drug with side effects that are unknown even by the woman cooking it. It's an interesting take on the drug trade. It takes place in New Orleans. All in all, I say: READ IT

East of West

A very long comic series about the end of the world. There is a lot of religion in this. There's a message, people to protect the message, and the four horsemen of the apocalypse. It's graphic and not very interesting really. Strange in fact. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire

Amazon describes the plot as, "Perhaps the most famous fifth-grade teacher in America, Rafe Esquith has won numerous awards and even honorary citizenship in the British Empire for his outstandingly successful methods. In his Los Angeles public school classroom, he helps impoverished immigrant children understand Shakespeare, play Vivaldi, and become happy, self-confident people. This bestseller gives any teacher or parent all the techniques, exercises, and innovations that have made its author an educational icon, from personal codes of behavior to tips on tackling literature and algebra. The result is a powerful book for anyone concerned about the future of our children.". It's got some good points to remember. It's got some good advice for new teachers as well. All in all, I say: READ IT

Talk Read Talk Write

An order for running a lesson that uses research. It also uses Gradual Release. Any content area could use the technique. All in all, I say: READ IT

McMillions

A 6 part documentary showing on HBO about the scandal behind robbing McDonalds. A conspiracy that took millions from the McDonalds Monopoly game. It's a little long, but it's interesting. All in all, I say: SEE IT

The Farewell

Awkwafina (Crazy Rich Asians) stars as a struggling student in NYC who upon learning her grandmother is sick decides to go to China for a wedding to spend time with her. The family decides not to tell the grandmother that she has stage 4 cancer and only has 3 months to live. The whole family comes out for a wedding, but really it's to say goodbye without giving away the secret. It's funny and sad. All in all, I say: SEE IT on Amazon Prime.

Troop Zero

A young girl who has lost her mother becomes obsessed with outer space. She wants to record a message on the golden record going out into space. To do that in the small town in Georgia - she has to have a troop. The existing troop won't take her, so she has to start her own. Viola Davis (The Help) becomes the troop leader. Jim Gaffigan (comedian) is the girl's father - a lawyer.  Allison Janney (The Help) also stars. This is showing on Amazon Prime. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Diablero

This is a Netflix show - I watched season 1 decided I'm done. It takes place in Mexico. There is a demon hunter, his friends, and a priest. They are looking into kids disappearing. It is drawn out, it takes them forever to get to the point, they skip over some things and never explain. It felt like they were making it up as they went along. The effects were good. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Namesake book 3

We are still in Oz trying to get Emma back home. We are also getting some back story on Alice. Really, everything gets more complicated instead of clearing things up. I'm super confused about the characters as well. I give up - I'm done with this series. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Teaching for Deeper Learning

This is a quick read and it's pretty much filled with stuff I already knew. It focuses on 7 thinking skills:
1. Conceptualizing: essential questions, word wall, and students playing detective
2. Note making & Summarizing: using window notes, 4-2-1
3. Comparing: use organizers
4. Reading for Understanding: previewing, scavenger hunts, single sentence summaries
5. Predicting & Hypothesizing: hooks, mystery, if-then, questioning
6. Visualizing & Graphic Representation: organizers, pictures
7. Perspective Taking & Empathizing: another point of view, mock trial, day in the life

If you teach LA or you just want to make sure you are digger deeper with your lessons - this is a good reminder. All in all, I say: READ IT if you are a teacher

Women in Art

The artwork, writing, and facts in this book are amazing. I loved reading this - so many women I had never heard of. The wide range of art forms, countries...just really well done. It is a gorgeous book. All in all, I say: READ IT

East Tennessee from A to Z

A picture book that focuses on what East Tennessee has to offer. It's go good facts, good pictures, and it reminded me of the A to Z geography project. It will make a good example to have in class if I do that project again. All in all, I say: READ IT if you like Knoxville, TN.

Die Die Die

A new comic from Kirkland who did The Walking Dead. It's so bad...I think it's about a group of identical siblings who are assassins. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Tyson Hesse's Diesel

It's a future world - cities in space - hmm sounds familiar. A young girl is supposed to take over as captain, but something goes wrong. I don't care to know what that is - I stopped about the first book. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Graveyard Shift

A short, comic series about a cop whose fiance is bitten and becomes a vampire. It's not great - it didn't suck - I guess you would have to be into vampires to really enjoy. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

High Fidelity

Loosely based on the book and movie - Hornsby. Zoe Kravitz (Mad Max) is the owner of a record store who is having a hard time getting over her last heart break. The music is good. The writing is good. Zoe is as good as ever. Some of the guest stars will blow your mind. All in all, I say: SEE IT on Hulu

The Outsider

Based on a Stephen King novel - and amazingly done. His books made into movies can go one of two ways. This is filmed in GA by producer  Jason Bateman (Arrested Development) who also stars in the first couple of episodes. Ben Mendelsohn (Ready Player One) stars as the police that investigates the crime that shakes up a small town and all he thinks about the world. Mare Winningham (The Affair) and Paddy Considine (Hot Fuzz) also star. It is super creepy and so good. All in all, I say: SEE IT on HBO

King Kong 1933

The original - got to see on the big screen. It's black and white.  It is sexist, racist, and all around old fashioned. It's fun though to imagine paying a penny to walk in off the street during the great depression and watch an action movie like this. It used state of the art stop gap motion for the first time and a soundtrack that was written specifically for each scene to add to the action. TCM added some fun trivia at the end. All in all, I say: SEE IT

The Way Back (2020)

Ben Affleck (Good Will Hunting) is an addict. His relationship with his father ruined his basketball career. His wife got him on track until his son died of cancer. Now he is separated and back to drinking all day. The high school he played for asks him to come back and coach. He could be a role model for the kids and get his life straight, but will he? Michaela Watkins (Unicorn) plays his sister. All in all, I say: SEE IT - good acting.

Emma.

Bill Nighy (Love Actually) is Emma's father on this theatrical version of Jane Austin's Emma. It is 10,000 times better than the last Emma that was released. Anya Taylor-Joy (Split) is perfect. Emma has to have the right posture and the right facial expression. She nails it. The men aren't very cute or sexy, but I love the writers vision. The cloths in this are amazing. Superb job in total. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Vienna Blood

IMDb writes, "

Max Liebermann, a student of Sigmund Freud, helps Detective Rheinhardt in the investigation of a series of disturbing murders around the grand cafes and opera houses of 1900s Vienna."On PBS, this - before WWII - mystery show is amazing. It's got the same feel as Sherlock. One is a Jewish psychiatrist who falls in love with a patient, and helps a detective who lost his wife & child solve crimes. It's so good. I am hooked and hope there is going to be a season 2. All in all, I say: SEE IT

The Color Purple

Steven Spielberg (ET) directs this movie based on the novel. I saw it on the bug screen twice now. Danny Glover (Predator) is the abusive husband. Whoopi Goldberg (Sister Act) is the abused daughter and wife who strives for a life where she can be with her sister and make her own life decisions. The music in this is good. The cinematography is good. The acting is good. It's a harsh look at life in the south though. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Ordinary Love

Liam Neeson (Love Actually) and Lesley Manville (Another Year) are adjusting to retired life and missing their child who passed years before. They have a routine and then she finds a lump in her breast. The movie follows them on their journey. They both do an amazing job - its a really well done picture. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Parasite

A Korean film that won a lot of awards. A family of con artist con a naive wealthy woman and take over her home. The former housekeeper has a surprise they haven't discovered yet. Yeo-jeong Jo (Ms. Perfect) is the woman of the house who gets duped. This movie ends very dark...very dark. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - it was good but better than Little Women or 1918? I think not.

American Factory

IMDb writes, "In post-industrial Ohio, a Chinese billionaire opens a factory in an abandoned General Motors plant, hiring two thousand Americans. Early days of hope and optimism give way to setbacks as high-tech China clashes with working-class America.". This was very interesting. To watch how the Americans and the Chinese both in the US and abroad viewed this company moving to the US. The Chinese owners still had the same expectations for workers in the US that they had in their home country. The best parts are the meetings the Chinese had to attend to teach them about America and Americans. All in all, I say: SEE IT on Netflix

Locke & Key

I tried episode one - I've never read the books though. The first episode was disturbing and since it involved kids I just decided not to continue. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

The Spy

Sacha Baron Cohen (Les Miserable) play an Arab-Jewish spy - he has to lie to a lot of people and in the first episode they give way the ending. I tried for two episodes and I just couldn't finish. It[s on Netflix. If you like spy stuff I'm sure it's good. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Jane Levy (Purgatory) has started hearing the inner most thoughts and feelings of those around her in the form of songs. People are randomly breaking out into song and dance, and it's up to her to figure out what ails them and help them face it. Skylar Astin (Pitch Perfect) is her long time best friend whom she discovers loves her. Peter Gallaghar (While You Were Sleeping) has a condition that has made her families life difficult. Mary Steenburger (Book Club) is her mother. Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls) is her boss at a tech company. It's fun - all in all, I say: SEE IT. I watch on Hulu.

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Third book in a series by this author. Amazon writes, "In Sapiens, he explored our past. In Homo Deus, he looked to our future. Now, one of the most innovative thinkers on the planet turns to the present to make sense of today's most pressing issues.

"Fascinating...a crucial global conversation about how to take on the problems of the twenty-first century." (Bill Gates, The New York Times Book Review)

How do computers and robots change the meaning of being human? How do we deal with the epidemic of fake news? Are nations and religions still relevant? What should we teach our children? Yuval Noah Harari's 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is a probing and visionary investigation into today's most urgent issues as we move into the uncharted territory of the future. As technology advances faster than our understanding of it, hacking becomes a tactic of war, and the world feels more polarized than ever, Harari addresses the challenge of navigating life in the face of constant and disorienting change and raises the important questions we need to ask ourselves in order to survive. 

In twenty-one accessible chapters that are both provocative and profound, Harari builds on the ideas explored in his previous books, untangling political, technological, social, and existential issues and offering advice on how to prepare for a very different future from the world we now live in: How can we retain freedom of choice when Big Data is watching us? What will the future workforce look like, and how should we ready ourselves for it? How should we deal with the threat of terrorism? Why is liberal democracy in crisis? 

Harari's unique ability to make sense of where we have come from and where we are going has captured the imaginations of millions. Here he invites us to consider values, meaning, and personal engagement in a world full of noise and uncertainty. When we are deluged with irrelevant information, clarity is power. Presenting complex contemporary challenges clearly and accessibly, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is essential listening.". I like it - not as much as the other two - but it brings up some poignant things to think about. All in all, I say: LISTEN TO IT

Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow

Book two from this author is just as insightful as the first - some really thought provoking ideas and concepts discussed. Amazon writes, "Yuval Noah Harari, author of the critically acclaimed New York Times best seller and international phenomenon Sapiens, returns with an equally original, compelling, and provocative book, turning his focus toward humanity's future and our quest to upgrade humans into gods.

Over the past century, humankind has managed to do the impossible and rein in famine, plague, and war. This may seem hard to accept, but as Harari explains in his trademark style - thorough yet riveting - famine, plague, and war have been transformed from incomprehensible and uncontrollable forces of nature into manageable challenges. For the first time ever, more people die from eating too much than from eating too little; more people die from old age than from infectious diseases; and more people commit suicide than are killed by soldiers, terrorists, and criminals put together. The average American is 1,000 times more likely to die from binging at McDonalds than from being blown up by Al Qaeda.

What then will replace famine, plague, and war at the top of the human agenda? As the self-made gods of planet Earth, what destinies will we set ourselves, and which quests will we undertake? Homo Deus explores the projects, dreams, and nightmares that will shape the 21st century - from overcoming death to creating artificial life. It asks the fundamental questions: Where do we go from here? And how will we protect this fragile world from our own destructive powers? This is the next stage of evolution. This is Homo Deus.

With the same insight and clarity that made Sapiens an international hit and a New York Times best seller, Harari maps out our future". I listened to this in the car and was blown away. All in all, I Say: READ IT

Man-Eaters

An amazing metaphor for womanhood and how women have been treated by men and society for centuries. It's original and really, really well-written and illustrated. I LOVE this. I was going to keep going with other volumes, but then I heard the author is a hot mess and there's some controversy there, so sadly I'm going to stop at volume one. All in all, I say: READ IT

Ms. Marvel

Written by  Saladin Ahmed  - a Muslim, American woman who is a bit of a nerd. A super hero in the Marvel universe that is also Muslim. A young girl - who dressed her age and looks it - good illustrations. Interesting characters and plot. I loved this. All in all, I say: READ IT

Mr. & Mrs. X

Part of the X-Men world - things are chaotic and the plots are missing or seem convoluted. It was just annoying. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Firefly: Legacy edition

Amazon writes, "The Serenity rides again, in these official sequels to the critically acclaimed show Firefly, collected for the first time under one cover! Buried histories and secret identities are revealed, along with all the heist-takin’, authority-dodgin’, death-defyin’ space-cowboyin’ you’ve been missing from your life, as this ragtag crew of mercenaries, outlaws, and fugitives travel the stars in search of their next adventure.". I love, love Joss Whedon and the lives of Serenity and her crew. So I love, loved this series. All in all, I say: READ IT