Aquaman, mini movie review

 

 Rating: C+/B-

I've been struggling with this review for some time, to the point where I meant to write this a few weeks ago, but couldn't bring myself to the keyboard.  My family loved Aquaman, the DC comic origin story based off the character we met in Justice League.  What I faced was the conundrum I feel while watching many movies.  The battle between pure entertainment vs technical struggles covered up by a shiny veneer.

Aquaman is, at its surface, above the water if you will, a really fun movie.  A Summer flick released during the Winter.  A good ol' fashioned popcorn movie.  Don't think, be dazzled. There's a lot of dazzling.

Jason Momoa plays Arthur, Aquaman, a man trapped between two Worlds: land and ocean.  Part human/part Atlantean.  He's connected to the sea.  Is sensitive to marine life, as displayed during a flashback while he was a child visiting an aquarium.  He blames himself for his Mother's death, a woman of Atlantis royal birth.  He blames himself for quite a lot.

As the movie plays out we see Arthur find himself as he grows to become Aquaman.  No spoilers, as this is expected.  We've already met Aquaman in Justice League, which takes a great deal of edge off any mystery if Arthur will make it, as we already know he will.  We've already seen him in action, and because we know his future, a certain level of suspense is suspended.

The plot of Aquaman is crowded.  There's underwater wonder.  A dash of Indiana Jones.  War. Family clash.  Self discovery.  Flashbacks sprinkled here and there.  Hero's  Journey.  So many spliced together functioning parts that aspects of this story don't feel fully realized or explored.  Throw in there some corny lines and stilted dialogue.  And DC really needs to learn how to do proper facial CGI (I was a little distracted by the faces of some characters when they were made to look younger). 

But the special effects!  The scenery.  There's a lot of eye candy.

Overall Aquaman is a fun movie, and worth the watch, especially if you're into super hero movies.  One of the better DC movies.  I'm glad they're taking the time to make origin stories.  Justice League felt overcrowded simply because so many character had to be introduced before the story could really get going, dragging the movie down.  If you want a good escapist movie, Aquaman is a good detour out of reality.

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for some language. 

Just a Girl Being a Nerd: Gundam Wing

 Have you seen something when you were younger that you really, really wanted, but couldn't get?  And, for whatever reason, wanting it never left your mind?  Heh, not sure what you're thinking, but for me this happens with silly, little things.  In the late 90's I was a huge Gundam Wing fan.  It's still my favorite anime, though it's been awhile since I've seen this Gundam show.

I didn't collect too many things from the series.  My brothers got the Gundam models.  I wanted Wing Zero, but never got around to buying one.  One day, around 2002 or 2003, I was wearing a Gundam Wing t-shirt I bought at a Dark Horse comic store on Universal CityWalk at Universal Studios Hollywood--that's a mouthful--while at Walmart.  This Japanese guy did a double take while I was shopping the produce area and kept staring at me.  Was he surprised an American was wearing a Gundam Wing shirt?  Or that a girl was?  I wore that shirt out.  It was a thing of beauty.

Sometime in the early 2000's I found a set of Gundam Wing character figures.  I wanted it so bad!  But didn't have the money and had to pass.  Now and then, later on, I checked Ebay, and for years I couldn't find it for sale.  Then a few years ago I noticed this set starting to pop up, but still I couldn't splurge.  Then, last week, I found it for $30 with free shipping.  I had to do it!  And now it's sitting on a shelf.

The box is damaged.  There's sun bleaching.  This set has probably seen a few things, or not while collecting dust in a box.  Still, I had to momentarily take the figures out to examine.  For now I'll display them in the box.

The nerdy girl in me is happy to have these Gundam Wing figures.

Visiting George Sand's Home in Nohant France

So in April 2016, while visiting Patou, she took my Mom and I to visit George Sand's home in Nohant France, which was a short drive.

In all honestly, I didn't know who George Sand was, besides the fact she is one of Patou's favorite authors.  I just thought it would be fun seeing an 1800's French manor.

 Driving through the French countryside was lovely in April.

All these yellow flowers everywhere.

 And I loved passing through random towns.

This one had a castle like building in the middle.

 Though I didn't know who George Sand was, I know Chopin.

I was confused at the nods to Chopin in the surrounding areas next to the home.

 Turns out they had a "thing" going on.  Who am I kidding?  At was so much more than a "thing".  They had a full on affair.  It is here, at Nohant, where he composed many pieces.  The guide said that while he would play the piano, she would sometimes be underneath, listening.  Or did I read that in the pamphlet?  There's a lot I missed thanks to not being fluent. One things for certain, they meant a lot to one another.

 We weren't allowed to take pictures while inside.  This was a picture my Mom took before being told not to take any more.

There were some really nice rooms.  I loved seeing where Chopin played and composed.  The room with the puppets was interesting.

 We didn't see the garden as we arrived to the area late.

Photos by Sarah and Robin Stufflebeam

Talea Studios Update: January 26, 2019

I haven't done one of these in a long time.

New Year, New Focus.

Last week I had a meeting with my siblings, and it went very well.  There are a lot a projects we're working on, and in the process we found much needed new footing.

There's not much I can say.  There are smaller projects that will roll out.  But, most important, what gets me excited, is that there is a major project that will take a bit of time that we've decided we're ready for.  It's a project that we never felt ready for, but as we've grown and worked on our talents, we're finally ready to tackle this awesome goal.  It's a passion project.  And that's all I want to say! 

There's a quote that's been popping up in my life recently.  I've mentioned it twice in the last month: "It's kind of fun to do the impossible."  Walt Disney.  Sometimes words or sayings will show up in our lives as a beaconing message.  I'm going to heed this wisdom.

Last May I got to visit Disney's private apartment at Disneyland, and at the end the hostess talked about Disney being a storyteller, and how there are still storytellers.  I wish I could remember the words she said, but it touched me.  And I realized in that moment how much I want to be a storyteller.  So I'm getting to the basics.  Working through some Great Courses Plus lessons.  I think I just have this love of stories.  I've always loved stories.  My music is a form of storytelling.  When I perform, it's storytelling as well.  And I just think of Kermit the Frog, sitting on his log in the swamp, playing his banjo and wanting to make millions of people happy.  That impressed me so strongly as a kid.  The idea of making people happy through art.

So those are the goals.  A lot of secrets!!!  I can't tell you how much I hate keeping secrets.  But as time moves forward and things finalize more will be revealed.

I just wanted to let you all know we're still working and wanting to make incredible things possible.

Sometimes the Best Gifts Are the Ones You Forget and then Find Again: Cold Stone

Last year I was going through some papers doing a little organizing.  Then, out of no where, I found a Cold Stone gift card with the top plastic still attached.  I was baffled.  Amazed.  Clueless.  Where did it come from?  When did I get it?  Was it still good?

Then, after questioning my family, I found out Robbie and Lindsay gave it to me.  (And then I felt bad having to admit that I forgot they gave it to me!)

But it was a surprise gift of goodness.  And today I finished it off after a few visits. 

Heh, and in case you think I'm gone off the New Year Resolution band wagon, I'm still doing okay.  I've only walked 51.74 miles, a little short of my goal, but still on track to walk 1,000 miles this year.  And I haven't had any soda at all.  But I do indulge in sweets now and then, to maintain my sanity.  Sanity is important.

Chocolaty goodness is important, too, and I enjoyed every bite. :0)

The New Disney Wisdom Quote Series from the Disney Store: Dumbo

 "The very things that held you down are going to carry you up & up & up!" ~ Timothy Q Mouse

 Disney Store's Mickey Memories was a rush.  Crazy.  I didn't find out about it until the end of April sometime, but it was still insane how popular this series became.

This year, on the third Saturday in the U.S.A (except in December when it's the second Saturday), Disney Store is doing Disney Wisdom, a series of plushes and merchandise with favorite Disney quotes.  Last year with Mickey the full set consisted of a plush, pins, and mug.  This year Disney Wisdom has the plush, pins, and mug, but also has a t-shirt, wall art, and journal.  The t-shirt and wall art are online exclusives.

Also, with the pins, last year they released a book where you can slip the pins into clear pockets for page flipping viewing.  This year I was hoping they would do a pin book again, but instead they released a canvas wall hanging.  I ended up getting the wall hanging, but funny enough I won't display Disney Wisdom pins, instead showcasing my favorite pins that I've collected through the years from the parks. I have so many, but will only showcase my favorites in a clean, balanced way.

As of today, January 23, 2019, only the mug, t-shirt, and Disney Wisdom canvas pennant trading pin holder is available.  Everything else is sold out.

Disney stores in the U.K. sold this set the day before the U.S. did, and interestingly enough the pins were the first to sell out.  Here in the States the Dumbo plush sold out first.  Also, the store I went to only got 12 plushes, so they were the first to go.

 Waiting in line.  What I got.  My Mom also got the mug.

 Dumbo: $26.95

So cute!!

I wasn't going to get Dumbo, as he's rather large, but I knew where I would display him and couldn't resist.  He really is adorable.  And I like the stitch work on the ears.

 Disney Wisdom Dumbo Pins: $16.95

I do like these pins, and the pins are the only thing I'm going to collect each month.  Because of the silver you have to have the light reflect on it just right to see the lines, but other than that it's nice.

 Disney Wisdom Dumbo Journal: $16.95

I'm not going to get all the journal's, only the ones with quotes I really like.  I really need to start journaling again.  I use to write all the time.  But I love this quote, and I love this design with the silver.  It's really nice.  Oh, I should have taken a picture of the binding, which says "Disney Wisdom Vol. 1" in blue.

 Disney Wisdom Dumbo Mug: $18.95

Rather expensive for a mug, but it's nice.

 Disney Wisdom canvas pennant trading pin holder: $19.95

And it came with a free pin with Walt Disney's quote:

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."

I like the free pin.  And I do like the canvas holder, though I wonder how pins will look when I get my pins out and place them on this.  Will the weight affect the way it looks and hangs?  We'll see, but I'm not ready to tackle the task.

So, thoughts.  I like the first set.  I like the quote, which means a lot with what I'm trying to do with my life.  It's a good start of the year quote.  I will be getting the plush, pins, and journal next month as well, as the Mulan quote is one of my favorites.  From there I haven't a clue what I'll get each month.  I won't get all the plushes.  I will get all the pins.  I'm not sure I'll get all the journals.  We'll see.

Walking Around a French Garden

I'm continuing to blog about my trip to France in April/May of 2016.  After Paris we visited the Center of France where Patou lives, which is where the rest of these posts will be from: Berry and Limousin.  There are so many enchanting and fun places to visit in these regions, but first we spent a lot of time in Issoudun.  Here Patou has an Aunt who lives near her, and we visited her garden.

It's such a beautiful garden.  I heard recently that Patou's Aunt sold it, so these photos are really nostalgic and has me wishing for Spring.

A nice sunny afternoon in France, taking in nature.

Photos by Sarah and Robin Stufflebeam