Captain Marvel review, it’s above average-and that’s OK

Just how did a movie within the MCU become a political lightning rod? The fact that many people have strong opinions about Captain Marvel before the film’s been released is testament as to how much cinema and social media have evolved since Iron Man in 2008. A Captain Marvel film in 2008 would’ve seemed like the stuff of fancy, now it signals the next era of Marvel film making. This works for-and against it. The end result is that Captain Marvel is a very entertaining film that has very similar elements from the 19 films in the MCU the preceded it.

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It is interesting how political and skewed the news has been about this film though. One person who was in the audience during my showing said that they thought that Captain Marvel was originally written with the man as a lead and that it was gender switched, a la, Ghostbusters, to placate today’s trends. I’ve also read some articles online about how Captain Marvel was nothing more than military propaganda. In reality, Captain Marvel is film about a character, who has been around for decades, and does have Earth memories of being a Air Force pilot.

What’s also true is that the film is quite entertaining. It takes a while to get to the period when it’s completely entertaining, but once Carol Danvers lands on Earth the film kicks into gear and really has fun. It’s about this time that Nick Fury enters the film and it takes on a buddy cop feel from the 90’s.

It’s not as humor heavy as some are expecting. There are some nice one liners, but for the most part its dry quips never hit home as often as Korg from Thor: Ragnorak or the dialogue between the Guardians of the Galaxy. In Captain Marvel the laughs are almost exclusively given to Fury, Talos (played by Ben Mendelsohn) and the vast differences in technology between the 90s and now.

The action sequences are very good, the sound is amazing, the soundtrack is spot on and Brie Larson as Captain Marvel is very good. She’s a dry, confident super power who realizes that she’s the strongest force in the universe and swaggers accordingly.

There are a couple elements of the film that didn’t add up as well as Disney would’ve liked. Mainly the friendship between 90’s era Carol Danvers and her best friend, Maria Rambeau, played by Lashana Lynch doesn’t connect. They were best friends back in the day, but Rambeau (is this a play on Rambo…?) has since retired and lives on farm in the south east-and conveniently has a box of all of Danver’s old stuff.

Samuel L. Jackson as a young looking Fury works great, as does Mendelsohn who oozes charm in character or in voiceovers are particular bright spots. The cat also steals many scenes later on in the film. Captain Marvel is very entertaining and serves as a great jumping off point to Avengers: Endgame. If anything, the addition of Captain Marvel serves as a needed punch to the chest for an Avengers film that might’ve left fans feeling defeated. One of the post credit sequences sets up Endgame and leaves audiences wanting a Dirty Harry style end to Thanos and his finger snap.

Overall, Captain Marvel works and is a quickly paced popcorn film and that’s OK. This is an above average MCU film that you’ll want to see more than a couple of times. It’s loud, fun and fits very nicely within the films that have come before it. Moreover, it also sets the stage nicely for Avengers: Endgame, in which Captain Marvel might just (hopefully) up her game.

The World’s Best Jokes for Kids is timeless fun for 7 and up

The day we received The World’s Best Jokes for Kids in the mail our 9 year-old wasn’t expecting much. Part of that was due to the fact that he, his younger brother and I were about to embark on an afternoon full of errands. For the next two hours, every time we got back in the car from the store he was regaling us with jokes from the book. When we got home he continued to read from the book until mom got home, then he reread his favorite jokes. Then mom was so tickled with laughter over how much he was enjoying it that we got his grandfather on the phone.

Jokes for kids, the worlds best jokes for kids, swerling & lazar, elementary school

The World’s Best Jokes for Kids, Volume 1 and 2 by Swerling & Lazar are out and it’s the stuff of elementary school legend. If you’ve eaten lunch at an elementary school lately you’ll notice that many of the kids will try to throw you a joke curve ball. It’s a clever pun or simple joke that, if it were said by a dad it would be a dad joke and gotten eggs or rolling eyes directed at me. However, since they’re said by a kid who is under 10, it’s cute and down-right laugh out loudable.

This book has hundreds of those jokes, most of which I had never heard before.

For example: Why can you never trust atoms?

Because they make up everything.

Each joke is accompanied by an illustration that helps drive the joke home. That atom joke has a grinning atom with molecules rotating around it. Granted our 7 year-old would not get that joke.  However, his older brother got it and was howling with laughter. We were grinning too.

Many of the jokes have that same borderline highbrow appeal to them. They’re puns that are smarter than what you see on a milk carton and this book will provide hours, upon hours of entertainment. For parents it’s also a great value because each book is only $6.99. The text is such that those in second grade and higher will be able to read them by themselves. This is fun stuff that will entertain kids on a rainy day, lazy summer afternoon or running errands around town.

Mr. Wolf’s Class: Mystery Club, an elementary school go-to graphic novel

Up until a certain age, people want to do things that people older than them do. Some of it is peer pressure, possibly an unstated level of envy or sibling rivalry. The younger one always wants to do what the older one is doing.  A kid’s first graphic novel can be tough because there aren’t many of them and there are even fewer good ones. As a parent, or reviewer, one also doesn’t want to describe something as “a kid’s first” because it could imply that it’s juvenile. So, now that we’ve laid that minefield thoroughly……Mr. Wolf’s Class: Mystery Club is a great graphic novel that hammers home how great reading can be to those who are pre-K through third grade.

This is the second book in this series by Aron Nels Steinke about Mr. Wolf’s class, its anthropomorphic students and the fun (plus lessons) that they have. This is in no way a ‘lesson graphic novel’ that’s heavy on morals, what to do or how to behave. So, you rebellious younger kids who are simply looking for a fun book will be OK with this. However, Mystery Club does offer lots of mainly good examples of behavior and actions that you’d like your friends-or your child’s friends to exhibit.

It’s a very cute book that perfectly encapsulates how elementary school kids act, the urban legends that every playground, classroom and personality of blocks of students. As any high school student could relate to, and think of numerous real-life examples of the characters in The Breakfast Club; elementary school readers will immediately plug into Mystery Club.

Aziza, Randy and Margot have questions about life, interpersonal relationships, how to deal with potentially difficult people and more. Of course, they broach these issues in ways that a first grader will understand, because it’s highly probable that those same kids are encountering the same things. They’re making clubs, going to parties, wondering what happens to their teachers when they go home and more.

The friendly, approachable art in Mr. Wolf’s Class is one that this age group will gravitate to also. There’s an animal of every sort in the book with age appropriate mystery to keep ages 6-9 grinning throughout. This is one of those series that elementary schools need to have in their library. The vocabulary in the book is semi-challenging for our first grader. He can read most of the sight words, but there are still many bigger words that he tags up for help with. However, it’s a book that he enjoys looking at-and leisure reading is key to raising a kid with a love of books. The third book in the series, Lucky Stars will be out in September 2019.

All age comic books for February 27

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Wednesday means new comic book day and this week has a nice selection of new all age comic books, as well as, a couple graphic novels that will rock the socks off of readers as young seven. Over in the podcast we’ll chat about Mr. Wolf’s Class: Mystery Class, Sonic the Hedgehog and more. For now let’s look at three great releases that will entertain parents as much as they will readers in second grade.

Wings of Fire: The Lost Heir

Wings of Fire is a gargantuan popular book series for upper elementary school and up. It’s about dragons, the different clicks between them and is a book series that our nine year-old is headlong into. Wings of Fire: The Lost Heir is the graphic novel adaptation of the second book in that series by the same name. Start off with the graphic novels. Start off with the books. Either way your reader who is eight and up will absolutely love the adventure that these books thrust you into.

Star Trek Vs. Transformers #5 of 5

We love this crossover IDW Publishing has done. The first four issues were spot-on great, they managed to capture the cavalier attitude of 60’s era Star Trek, in addition to the 80’s era fun of Transformers. Put them together in one great crossover and this is one of the best all age comic books of the year. This is issue #5 of a five issue mini-series. Look around closely and you’ll find the first four issues. If not, check out the trade paperback when its released in a couple months. While the content is appropriate for ages six and up, realistically it’ll be enjoyed most by those nine and up as they’ll be familiar with the characters in the story.

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #40 

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is one of the best all age comic books out there. This comic book is great for ages seven and up, boys or girls and varies from camp superhero action to otherworldly adventure issue to issue. This issue of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur has the team in a dreamscape with Doctor Strange making a guest appearance. Try this comic book out once and it’ll reward you with great art, a  quick paced story and a go-to comic book every month.

Superhero Action/science-fiction

Fighting With My Family is a solid, fun time

When is a movie that stars The Rock not a movie that starts The Rock? Fighting With My Family has Dwayne Johnson in it, but it’s not a typical movie that has him in it. In its place, Fighting With My Family has become an unlikely, feel-good film about overcoming obstacles despite the odds that are stacked against you. Think of Fighting With My Family as a WWE companion to Creed. Both of these movies succeed and audiences will enjoy them; even if they know nothing or don’t appreciate, the sport that each of these films live in.

It’s worth nothing that I am a fan of WWE, however my knowledge on Paige was, and is limited. This film, was inspired by the documentary, Fighting With My Family from 2012-which was itself the true story of Paige’s family in Norwich, England.

Some, nay, many movie goers will be put off by the fact that this is a film based on the story of a WWE wrestler and that is too bad. Fighting With My Family is a surprising film that mixes in humor, drama, a family with dynamics that most people can relate to and wears its heart fully on its sleeve.

I don’t like wresting or WWE you say? This film fully addresses the reasons why you (think you) don’t like WWE. It’s storytelling with Spandex, it’s rigged and all fake. It’s understandable why people think that and Fighting With My Family doesn’t shy away from those that do. And, just to be clear, the outcomes are predetermined, but how the wrestlers get to them is entirely up to them, their athletic prowess, ad-libs and the crowds.

The WWE naysayers in the film are portrayed by Stephen Merchant and Julia Davis as Hugh and Daphne. They’re the parents to a young girl who has been knocked up by Zak Knight, who is Paige’s brother. Those parents come over for dinner, the two worlds collide and the Knight family receives a phone call that will change their lives forever.

Saraya (who hasn’t yet changed her name to Paige) and her brother are invited to a WWE tryout in London. It’s here where we meet Hutch, played by Vince Vaughn who becomes a narrator of sorts for the rest of the film. He’s a talent scout for WWE and becomes a lot of the humor and sounding board for the training that the wrestlers endure.

Throw in some scenes with The Rock and Fighting With My Family is a very entertaining ride. The Rock isn’t in the film for too long, but when he is it’s the equivalent of having Darth Vader or Santa Claus appear in a Star Wars or Christmas movie. He has an energy that carries those around him and simply makes you smile. His common sense description of professional wrestling is one that will make fans of the sport, even if you’re not looking to become one. Even if they don’t, they’ll see a very entertaining and inspirational movie that will surprise you at every turn.

All age comic books for January 30

If you’re looking to jump into a great graphic novel this is your week. There are some cool all age comic books for sure, but what really stands out are the sheer number of well known, as well as, a couple under the radar graphic novels for ages 5 and up.

Bird & Squirrel: All Tangled Up

To say that Bird & Squirrel is a graphic novel series that elementary school kids love is an understatement. This series from James Burks is jammed with adventure and laughs and does it all with great colors in books that are entertaining for ages 7 and up. Those younger ages might need help reading them, but second graders and up will know the deal and seek these books out. In All Tangled Up our friends team up with Squirrel’s daughter, Birdie as they run into all sorts of adventures, plus a bigfoot, maybe. If you’re not familiar with Bird & Squirrel pick up this series and it’ll certainly head up to your top 5 graphic novel series within one reading of it.

Hilo: Then Everything Went Wrong

Another graphic novel series that is probably in your top 5 is Hilo. Then Everything Went Wrong is the fifth book in this series that has action, robots, adventure, laughs and more robots. Hilo is a New York Times Bestseller and after you read it you’ll know why. Each book moves at such a fast pace it’s one that makes kids disappear. They get the book, lurk off to their reading corner and then reappear 90 minutes later once they’re done. Parents: you’ll probably read it after the kids and will enjoy it just as much.

DC Super Friends Be Brave Like Batman

Let’s skew down to ages three and up for DC Super Friends: Be Brave Like Batman. It’s cut from the same cloth as Bedtime for Batman, which was fabulous as a great good-night book. Be Brave Like Batman has big, kid-friendly illustrations of Batman being brave. These dangers are age appropriate, there’s a dark closet, monsters under the bed and a dark room for kids to conquer. Boys and girls who are three and up will love this entry into their geek life.

Humor Betty & Veronica Bird Lucy Disney Hey Kiddo Hilo James Looney Superhero Big Books DC DC Mighty Powers Scooby Action/Science-fiction Ghoul Invader Zim Jim Henson Nanjing News Star

Win a family 4-pack of tickets to Monster Jam at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

For our family one thing that indicates the final days of winter is Monster Jam. It’s not set in stone, but for the past couple of years Monster Jam has been in Atlanta in late February. And since our children are nine and seven-and can only remember a couple of years back, they associate Monster Jam with that, as well as giant trucks smashing stuff, doing flips, endoes, wheelies, pogoing, dropping the hammer and more. Monster Jam has become one of our go-to family friendly events that we look forward to every year. This year Monster Jam is coming to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 23 and 24th. We’re giving away a family 4- pack of tickets to Monster Jam for opening night in Atlanta on February 23. To enter just RT this or leave a comment on this post. This giveaway ends on February 6.

Is Monster Jam a family friendly experience? Yes. It’s loud (wear ear protection-or come early enough to where you can purchase some at the stadium), so come prepared. Be sure to come early so that the kids can enjoy the benefits of the Pit Pass. That’s when you can walk the course, get close to the monster trucks, meet the drivers, do some crafts or purchase any number of cool Monster Jam toys. There is absolutely nothing to worry about for kids (content wise) at a Monster Jam event.

This is 100% adrenaline and you don’t need to know anything about how the sport works. Essentially, a Monster Jam event is divided into two portions. The first half is a race where two trucks to head to head in a timed event. The second half is where the winners of that first heat move on to free style action. Monster Jam never disappoints us and I can guarantee that it’ll be one of the family highlights in 2019.

This Monster Jam giveaway is for 4-tickets to the Atlanta show, February 23 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The winner will be chosen at 10:00 PM on 2/6. To enter just leave a comment in the post or RT the tweet:

The Hotel Between, top tier fantasy/adventure for 9 and up

Describing The Hotel Between, is much like the story that binds the book together. It treats borders between categories as an entry to more adventure; whereas some it its contemporaries would stumble at how to weave adventure, magic, time travel, intrigue and family drama into a coherent, thrilling book. My wife read this book first and said, “You must read this”. She finished The Hotel Between in just under a week and now I must pass along this message. You must read this.

Of course ‘must read this’ could sound a bit pompous and I completely understand that, Mr. How Do Know What I Must Read. Let me clarify, The Hotel Between is an upper elementary school and up science-fiction book that people who like adventure and mystery will love.

Elements of the plot might make some cautious readers raise an eyebrow. Cameron and Cassia are twins. They’ve been told that their father abandoned them and that their mother died, but they’ve never really believed it. All these two need to do is somehow find a magical world and you’ve got any number of bad movies that were developed from good books recently.

That’s where the similarities stop and the book goes down a rabbit hole that bends your mind, explains it all perfectly and leave you wanting more. The book’s cover, with it’s upside down landmarks from around the world invoke an M.C. Escher madness is a great tell as to how trippy and fun it is.

 Shortly after meeting Cameron and learning just a little about his back story we’re shown the world of The Hotel Between. Readers of any age will appreciate how quickly the book moves and how well it does in explaining everything-and everywhere in the book.  Once in The Hotel Between Cameron meets a variety of characters, including Nico, who is his guide for most of the book and might not be exactly who he says he is-or is he?

The guessing game that happens in The Hotel Between is the stuff of The Usual Suspects. You won’t know who is good and who is bad, or what the real motivation is for any of the double crosses that happen in this brave, upside down world.

Each chapter is around 14 pages and has vocabulary that upper elementary school kids will be able to read. It’s the unknown, upper age that is impressive also. This is smart, fun reading that doesn’t dumb down the adventure or plot development. It’s a well told story that ages 9 and up can-and will want to read, but its quality makes it so that older readers won’t feel like they’re reading a kid’s book.

Author Sean Easley has set up a fabulous story with The Hotel Between. It stands on its own, but it also sets up future stories that could be told due to the richly detailed characters that have been laid out. Either way, this is a great book that readers 9 and up will enjoy. It’ll most likely inspire them to read more books as they chase the next book that they hope will be as great as this one. Update: after checking his website it looks like it’s the later as the sequel to The Hotel Between will come out in the fall of 2019.  

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