Blood and Guts and Murder, Oh My!

Freaky starring Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton

An Aztec curse causes a teenaged girl to switch minds with a serial killer.

So, switched bodies is not a new concept.  And horror movies are not my favorite.  But I do like Vince Vaughn, so I gave it a try.  It is bloody and gory.  It is about a serial killer so that should not surprise anyone but, it is nonstop so it is something to keep in mind.  I don't know that there were many surprises here.  You read the premise of the film and you kind of know how things are going to go.  But I like the way it was presented so I didn't mind.  Newton's character is a bit of an outcast, an unwanted by the popular kids and boys.  They try to make her look dumpy by putting her in big clothes.  But it doesn't really work.  She is supposed to be an ugly duckling turned swan, but the before and after are basically the same.  So that concept doesn't really work.  But I think the acting was pretty good.  And I thought it was fun to watch Vaughn act like a teenage girl.  There is nothing spectacular about this film but there are some funny moments and overall the film is entertaining to watch.  If you go in knowing that it does not take itself to seriously (and you shouldn't either), and that it is a little silly, a little gory and mindless entertainment I think you will enjoy this film.

Write Your Own Programming

 The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

Roz, the robot, wakes up on an island with no humans, or other robots.  She is not programmed to survive in this world.  And the animal inhabitants think she is a monster.  Both Roz and the animals must adapt to survive.

This book is sad, funny, sweet and hopeful.  Roz may not have emotions but she does evoke them in the reader.  Most people can relate to feeling like they don't belong and can sympathize with Roz and will start to fall in love with her as she tries to fit in.  Most of the animals have big personalities too.  And once Roz learns how to communicate with them you can fall in love with them as well.  It is a heartwarming story as Roz learns to go beyond her programming.  I like how it isn't all Roz changing but the animals are learning and changing too.  It is a lovely story about family, learning to live together and going beyond expectations.  There are some sad moments.  Animals die.  But it is important to include the sad parts of life too.  And I don't think it ever gets too scary for children.  I would recommend this book and plan to read the others in this series.

The Wild Robot starring Lupita Nyong'o

After a shipwreck Roz, the robot, is stranded on an uninhabited island.  As she tries to navigate in a world her programming doesn't cover, where the animals think she is a monster, she also finds herself caring for an orphaned goose.  

The animation is wonderful.  The movie is full of fun moments, there are also sad times but it is mostly hopeful and loving.  It is a lot of fun watching Roz trying to fit in and learn how to survive in this strange world she doesn't understand.  You fall in love with Roz as she learns how to take care of her small goose  charge, and maybe even love him.  It is a beautiful story of learning to go beyond what you are told you are, learning to live and help others, and overcoming differences.  The ending includes some fighting and explosions that might be slightly scary for small children but it is a story about family and learning to live together with others who are not like you that everyone will enjoy. 

Movie vs Book

Once again I am left to wonder why the movie never really follows the book they are based on.  This movie is close to keeping the same themes as the book but how they get there is often different.  As usual I like the book better, but this time it is a closer call.  It was the movie that made me want to read the book, so I did enjoy the movie very much.  The movie is much more about Roz raising the baby goose and all the family problems that come from that.  I like the way the friendship between Roz and the animals is more gradual in the book and it isn't all about one big thing Roz does for the animals.  The movie has added some drama, both between Roz and Brightbill, the goose, and at the big ending.  I don't think the added drama was necessary, but I don't think it took away from the movie either.  I think they are both good and think both are worth your time, and if you like one I think you will like the other.