Mini-Reviews: Jumanji, The Prom, A Week Away

Looks like today we're talking about musicals and Jumanji...never thought that would be a combo I would be looking at, but here goes!

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Jumanji (1995)

Can you believe that I only watched this recently? It was never one I was shown as a child, but I waited because I kept hearing about how many kids were terrified by parts of this movie. Not that I exactly expected to be scared of it as an adult, but that didn't really give it a glowing review, haha. I liked it though. I'm not going to say I loved it and thought it was fantastic, but I wouldn't have any issues watching it again if it was on television, or watching it in future with kids (just would make sure they're the right age for it!). I don't plan on seeing the newer/remake movies though - I was mostly in it for Robin Williams.

tvline.com

The Prom

Need a fun, modern musical? This is it! Let's break down the cast for a moment: Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington and Keegan-Michael Key. And those are just the names you are most likely to know - there are several other amazing performers in this one. It's also directed by Ryan Murphy of Glee and Scream Queens fame. The Prom was recommended to me by a friend, who, although has an amazing track record for knowing when I am going to like something, I still doubted I was actually going to get invested in this one (when will I learn?). The funny thing though, is that it wasn't the big name characters that were my favourites (save James Corden - you incredible man, you), but the lesser-knowns were brilliant and absolutely shone. Ariana DeBose and Jo Ellen Pellman are amazing in their roles, there are lots of catchy and/or heartfelt songs, and it was a great one to watch. It's not going to go down as a perennial classic for me, but I will definitely watch it again (and I sure as heck have several songs that constantly get stuck in my head).

Mini-Reviews: Black Narcissus, Cheerful Weather For the Wedding, Laggies

Movies, movies and more movies! I definitely love to watch a lot of them in the winter. I'm spending quite a bit of time watching things I had meant to see years ago, and occasionally re-watching some comforting old favourites. So, here's what I've been watching recently!

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Black Narcissus
I remember watching this movie as a teen, and remembered liking it...but I didn't really recall all that much about it, and kept mixing it up with A Nun's Story. I watched it again recently, and oh boy...wow. Honestly, I was totally in love with it. Now yes, there are a few things where it is clearly a product of its time (such as some racist depictions - although nowhere near the worst I've seen), but the storyline, cinematography, and mood are incredible. It sort of has a similar feeling to Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca to me, so if you like the feeling of that story, I was check this one out. It is based on a book, but I've never read it.

Musicals: Yentl

One of my all-time favourite musicals, Yentl is a passion project of Barbra Streisand based off of the short story Yentl the Yeshiva Boy by Isaac Bashevis Singer.

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What It's About:

In the early 1900s, women are forbidden from studying the Torah and Talmud - the Jewish religious scripture. But Yentl is bright, curious, and has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and her father teaches her in secret. When Yentl's father is no longer with her, she has but one choice - learn to become a housewife and get married, or be true to herself by studying, yet have to pose as a boy. Yentl's journey is equal parts humorous, heartbreaking, and inspirational.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven (Mitch Albom)

This post will essentially be Spoiler Free, however comments by other users may possibly contain information that spoils portions of the plot, so read at them your own risk. This book is actually the first one that I've completed for my 2018 TBR Challenge, so I have to pick up the pace big time!

mitchalbom.com

What it's about:

Eddie heroically dies in a tragic accident and is immediately swept off to heaven. Yet the afterlife isn't the luxurious paradise he imagined. Eddie meets five people whose lives his actions have impacted, or who have impacted his - whether knowingly or not. Each has a lesson to share with him to explain the events of his life. Reflecting on his past experiences, each lesson move him through the stages of his new existence.