Movie Review: Red One

 

I am not sure I have ever recommended a movie on my blog.  This is one that I most definitely want to recommend to everyone.

I am sure this is going to became a yearly classic, right up there with "The Polar Express".  Santa, called Red One and played by J.K. Simmons is and is not your classic Santa.  To me it took the classic Santa story and explained so many things. It tells us how the naughty list came about. It explains to us why Santa needs so many milk and cookies.  If you've heard stories of Krampus, he is explained.  

Dwayne Johnson plays Callum Drift, Santa's bodyguard who is set to resign because he can no longer see all of the good in the adults.  Things change when Santa is kidnapped and Callum must find and rescue Santa. Enter Jack O'Malley played by Chris Evans. We are first introduced to him as a child who doesn't believe Santa delivers presents.  Fast forward to him as an adult. He is leading not the most wholesome life. He has a kid h has little to do with.  He is partly responsible for Santa's kidnapping, as he provided information that led to Santa.

The characters are well developed. The storyline is well paced.  This is an action film, not your typical feel good Christmas movie. However, it is a story of hope and redemption and belief. It is so good that my husband and I watched it twice.  I highly recommend this movie.

Student Saturday: Up From the Sea by Leza Lowitz

 

 

Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Poetry
Student Reviewer: Soleil M

The book, "Up From the Sea" is about a tsunami hitting a town in Japan. Kai tryed to save his family from the massive devastation in his home. He was offered a trip to New York to meet kids that experineced 9/11. While Kai is in America, he decided to look for his American father that he hasn't talked to in years. While in America, Kai decideds to go back home and help rebuild his town.

I rate this book an seven out of ten. I found this book quite interesting and touching. I would recommend this book to ages ten and above. I have enjoyed reading this book and it also taught me about how tsunamis happen.

Sorry I Have Been Absent

Sorry I've been Away for So Long

This school year has definitely been different.  Shortly after school started for teachers, Tropical Storm Debbie came through Florida and we were flooded in for several days.  I was so glad to get back to school just to feel normal.  I soon learned that there is nothing normal about this year.  We were hit by back to back Hurricanes, Helene and then Milton. Between playing catch up at school and getting things cleared up at home it has been hectic.  I have talked books with students and my TBR list has grown by leaps and bounds.  My students set my school reading goal at 95 books. I am 42 books in so far.  I have had weekends where I have not been able to read a single book. My students on the other hand are talking to me about books they have read.  I seem to have a large number of students reading Stephen King.  I have one young lady who reads books her mom and sister have recommended to her.   She popped in last week to share a list of books she got to purchase for her birthday.

Here is a list of some of my favorites since school started in September:

A Christmas Wish by Engy Neville

Thirty Seconds at a Time by Tracy Bilen

The One and Only Ruby and The One and Only Family by Katherine Applegate

In a Deep Dark Magic Wood by Scott Peters

The Tears of the Empress by Alfred M. Struthers

Tethered by Shawn Inmon

Today I talked with a student about the book Terror at Bottle Creek by Watt Key.  She said it was so interesting that she wanted to crawl into the book.  I will be writing my review of that book this weekend.  I actually read it while we were going through hurricane Milton.  Very appropriate since the main character is doing the very same thing.

My goal is to do nothing much but read during our Christmas Break.  I will be able to return to School much more relaxed.