Harbor Me

A 6th or 7th grade novel from the writer of Brown Girl Dreaming. In New York, in Brooklyn there is a school. Inside that school are a group of 6 unique individuals. Each of a different race, with different experiences, and different backgrounds. They find the right teacher at the right time. She takes them to a room - an abandoned room where they can go without supervision and talk. They talk about their lives and what is going on around them. Immigration, racism, bullying, and prison. It's a quick, easy read. It's really well written - the figurative language in this is so good. It could be set anywhere in the US really. All in all, I say: READ IT

How Children Succeed

This is a very thick, hard read. It is mainly stories intertwined with A TON of scientific stuff. It's hard to get through  super boring is what comes to mind. I hate non-fiction books that try to get a message across using the personal stories of random people. None of the chapters and none of the sections in the chapter have any summaries or "a-ha" statements. Whatever they want you to get out of this book - gets lost in the boredom. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

The Artisan Teacher

This is more like a guidebook for first year teachers. Helping a teacher work out more of the art side of teaching. There is science to being a good teacher and it's an art form as well. There are spots in the margin to take down notes and ideas. All in all, I say: READ IT if you're new to teaching or considering teaching.

The Girl with all the Gifts

On Netflix, a zombie tale. A viral zombie tale. People have become infected with a fungus that turns them into flesh and blood eating violent creatures. On an English military base, scientist are using children born of zombies to develop a vaccine. One girl in particular may hold the key. Paddy Considine (The Outsider) is the military leader. Gemma Arterton (Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters) is the teacher. Glenn Close (Sunset Boulevard) is the scientist. It wasn't bad at all until the very end. It's like the writer couldn't decide the best way to end things. All in all, I say: SEE IT if you like zombies.

Counterpart

Originally on Starz, but now on Amazon Prime video - this JK Simmons (Law & Order) is a twist on spy craft as we know it. Only two seasons, JK Simmons is a low level spy of sorts who discovers that his wife is a high level spy, and that there are parallel universes. He and himself (his counterpart in another world) have to find a way to get through the bullshit and undercover a conspiracy. It's a bit of a mind f*%$. Olivia Williams () does an excellent job at playing both his wives. I DID NOT like how it ended. I could have written a better ending. All in all, I say: SEE IT

**Spoiler: if you watch you will learn how the virus spread*** Very eerie parallels to what we are currently going through.

Richard Jewell

This Clint Eastwood (Midnight in Garden of Good and Evil) film sparked controversy here in Atlanta. It is based on the true story of Richard Jewell - a security guard during the Atlanta Olympic Games who discovered the bomb. It lays out a (probably biased) look at how the FBI and the AJC railroaded this man who ended up not being guilty. They wasted a lot of time focusing on him and smearing him in the press. I can see both sides of the controversy. You have to admit though Eastwood makes a good film. It was a solid script. Sam Rockwell (Moon) is always amazing. I love him - he does what I would call a city accent. Kathy Bates (Misery) did a good job - accent more Alabama though. The star though - Paul Walter Hauser (Late Night) was award winning amazing in my opinion. He had the mannerisms and the accent down - perfect. I saw this through a Red Box rental. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Abominable

Its a familiar story - beast in the wrong place is helped by kids and finds way home. Many evil scientist types try to prevent them. This takes place in China. The teens are trying to get a Yeti home to the Himalayan mountains. The soundtrack is a lot of violins which I like. It's not horrible - it's no Pixar. It's cute. All in all, I say: SEE IT. I saw it on Hulu.

Broke

A single mom played by Pauley Perrette (NCIS) is trying hard to make ends meet as a bartender and raise her young talented son. Her sister and her brother-in-law (and his butler/man servant) show up at her door. She thinks they can help her out, but they are broke. Everyone is adjusting to begin a family and living under the same roof. It's kind of cute and light-hearted. It's not hysterical funny, but with the quarantine it helps. I watch this on CBS. All in all, I say: TRY IT

Blinded by the Light

Based on the true story of a Pakistani kid growing up in the 80s of England. He is introduced to Bruce Springsteen and his entire perspective on his life and his position in his family drastically changes. Its a musical which I didn't realize. There was something off about it - it could have been wonderful and inspirational. It lasted too long - some scenes were just painfully unnecessary and long. It needed a better editor - and maybe no musical numbers. I saw it on HBO. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Tiffany Haddish: She Ready from the hood to Hollywood

A new comedy special on Netflix. It was so bad. I couldn't finish it. It wasn't funny at all. A shame because I kind of liked her last one. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

October Faction

A Canadian tv show on Netflix. A family heads to the ancestral hometown and home for a funeral only to get wrapped up in a conspiracy. At first it seems cool. Parents fight supernatural monster for a secret organization, but half way through the script goes haywire. The plot is just overly ridiculous. I know..it's science fiction, but still. Meagan Fellows of Anne of Green Gables stars in a couple of episodes and directs some. Tamara Taylor (Bones) does the best she can, but it's pretty bad. You don't really like any of the characters. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Feel Good

At first it seems like it will be cute. An American comedian falls in love with a British girl. It gets strange real quick. Its fast paced, but not in a good way. It just felt chaotic. Then it turns out the main character has some mental issues and I was like - nope - I'm out. All in all, I say: SKIP IT on Netflix

The Pharmacist

A documentary about the opioid crisis in our country on Netflix. It follows a father as he struggles to not only solve his son's drug death, but put an end to an epidemic in his own state; Louisiana. It was hard to get through because it goes so slow - I think it would have been a thousand times better if it had been a two hour movie. As painful as it was to get through - it's still an important part of our country. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter- Life Crisis

A stand up comedian who puts on an hour show on Netflix. It's okay - not great. I didn't laugh out loud. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

My Life is Murder

Lucy Lawless (Xena) is a retired detective who helps her best friend - still a detective - solve cold cases or cases that were closed by coroner, but were suspicious. She is clever and has an interesting personality. I like the other three characters in it and I've been hooked. All in all, I say: SEE IT on Acorn TV

Stargirl (book)

Amazon describes the plot as, "Stargirl. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of “Stargirl, Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’ s heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first.

Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In this celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love.

Don’t miss the sequel, Love, Stargirl, and Jerry Spinelli’s latest novel, The Warden’s Daughter, about another girl who can't help but stand out.". All in all, I say: READ IT

Stargirl (movie)

On the Disney Plus App right now - this movie is based on the novel. It follows the book very closely. The parts that needed updated were inserted seamlessly because Spinelli helped with the entire production. It's cute - a boy worried about being the center of attention and therefore ridicule meets a young girl who doesn't have those concerns. All in all, I say: SEE IT - after you READ IT

The Brokenwood Mysteries

In a small Australian town the local police investigate crime. I don't really like the actors/characters. I got bored after a couple of episodes. All in all, I say: SKIP IT on Acorn TV.

Still Standing

Jonny Harris (Murdoch Mysteries) is a stand up comedian. He goes to small towns (less than 1,000) all over Canada. He learns about the place and its people. Then, he designs a stand up show just for them. It is so good. He's is funny and the people he meets are so interesting. All in all, I say: SEE IT on Acorn TV. 

No Offence

A group of Manchester detectives solve crime. There are some funny parts, some serious parts, and some serious cases. Paul Ritter (Cold Feet) and Elaine Cassidy (The Paradise) star. I got hooked on the characters - there's a lot of female empowerment stuff, too. All in all, I say: SEE IT on Acorn TV

Embrace Your Weird

An excellent book to get your creative juices flowing. It's a light and easy read. Best of all, there are fun exercises as well. She does a really good job engaging the reader. All in all, I say: READ IT especially if you are a writer or thinking about a creative job/passion.