Zootopia - Movie Review

Zootopia was my daughter's pick for our mommy/daughter date last weekend. We both really enjoyed it!


After a few friends had seen it before us, some people questioned its suitability for younger kids. Even a couple of my daughter's friends talked about a VERY scary part in the middle. Fortunately my daughter enjoys watching zomedies with me and reading creepy books, so I wasn't really worried about her fear factor.

Some of the dialogue near the beginning of the movie seemed to go right over my daughter's head with its jaded humor. I was laughing out loud already as Judy Hop's parents told her everything that was wrong and impractical about going after one's dreams. It reinforced my belief that I would enjoy the movie.

There were a couple of scary parts, but as expected, they didn't bother either of us too much. A little startle can be fun, right? As you may be able to tell from my chosen trailer above, the sloths were some of my favorite characters from the movie. We were both also fans of the cheetah who worked dispatch, and definitely made our own Dancing with Gazelle videos once we got home.

Despite the discouragingly humorous speech from Judy's parents at the beginning of the movie, it did show an excellent message of all the good that can come from working toward your dreams, both for yourself and those you may inspire and help along the way. The city of Zootopia was also an excellent example of living with diversity, but I don't know how applicable it feels when they're using actual predators and prey as the subjects.

Have you or your kids seen Zootopia yet? Do you plan to? We'd encourage it, if you think you're up to a little scary part.

He Never Died - Movie Review

It was the movie's star - Henry Rollins - that first caught my attention and made me want to see this movie. I was surprised to see it was released in December, 2015, and I don't recall hearing anything about it (although I'm admittedly don't keep up much on current entertainment),

That being said, it's hard to find the right words to discuss He Never Died without turning part of the population off to it before they give it a chance. Although Jack (the main character, played by Rollins) never dies, he isn't a 'vampire,' per se, and even tells someone not to use that word.

I can only imagine how much he has seen in his lifetime, and there are actual laughable moments as you watch how little actually has an effect on him anymore. You've lived through war, and thousands of things that have killed people, so a street thug doesn't hold much fear anymore, you know?

The only thing that seems new, or at least out of the ordinary for him in this life, was finally forming attachments with people. And that downfall, as it were, is the cause of most of the action in this movie. A series of events cause Jack to - however reluctantly - decide he needs to act and do something besides just exist.

I really enjoyed this movie, although I can see how the darker aspects of it may be off-putting to some. It posed more questions about the possibility of immortality, and what that might really be like, than discussing what form of being Jack really was, or how he came to be that way. I saw rumors on some reviews that there may be some movies intended to be before this one, or some to come afterward, and I may look into that more. I would assume the only tie could be Jack, as the plot of this movie was pretty well tied up, leaving mostly more curiosities about Jack and how he chooses to continue his existence.

If you saw this movie, let me know what you thought!

Supercross - March 19

Another Supercross in Detroit is in the books :) Hubby and Jack had a great time last night. They said the intros ran a little long (especially for a four-year-old who REALLY wanted to see the races). Jack also wasn't a big fan of all the fireworks, but they both loved watching Ryan Dungey win the 450-main with his superior technique.

Malcolm Stewart won the 250-main, which hubby found more impressive. He said his victory dance was energetic and highly entertaining.

The east division of Supercross is headed to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis next for a big show on April 9. Tickets are still available here.

Reading Challenge - Book 5

After a long, thinking book last time, this book - satisfying the third category on the list (a YA bestseller) - was perfect to get my 'read' on and just enjoy.

I read Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. It was wonderful, and I'm talking my daughter into reading the whole series when she's done with what she's reading.

While I'm not sure if I'm the only one who wasn't already familiar with the premise of the Olympians series, they're about kids who are demi-gods. In this one, Percy Jackson has no idea that he's the son of a god, just that odd things seem to happen to him. The Kindly Ones (monsters, mostly) usually start sniffing out the demi-gods when they are around sixth-grade age. If the kids are lucky, someone shows up to help them get safely to Camp Half Blood, where they're generally safe.

Not long after Percy's arrival at Camp Half Blood, they discover who his father is, and things start to get really interesting. He learns even more about the gods, and remembers the mythology he has learned from his under-cover teacher, on the quest he is chosen to take on with the help of two of his not-quite-human friends.

I'd definitely recommend this book for young adults or adults. I hope to make other books fit into categories on the reading list so I can read more about the Olympians.

Bombfell - Box #2

Oh Bombfell, there's hope for you yet.

After hubby gave them his sincere review of the first box sent, he received a message back from someone in charge on the next business day. He was assigned to a more 'experienced' stylist, and issued a $30 credit toward a future purchase. Which meant he had to not cancel yet if he wanted a chance to use his credit. We decided to give them another try.
It didn't start off well. We got a postage due notice in our mailbox a couple weeks later. They wanted us to go pay $2 or something at the post office I hate dealing with - nevermind. They can send it back. And probably did. We got yet another box a couple weeks after that.
This box has potential.

These reviews would be much easier if Bombfell included style cards with the details for each item. All I'm working from is an invoice. There may be more in the online account, but that's not my department.

This is the Mavi Matt Mid-Rise pant in Army Twill. I really liked them on hubby, and he said they were comfortable, but he doesn't want to pay $98 for a pair of pants. It's definitely worth noting that they were also long enough, in contrast to the last pants he received. I was mildly amused that they include a little card saying that these are 'nice' pants (I forget their exact wording) and may be too long. If so you can take them to a local tailor to have the length corrected. Because I'm sure guys who don't want to spend money or buy clothes will totally be able to have stuff altered. But anyway...

The shirt in this picture is a Cutter & Buck in an XLT. I also really liked the fit of this on him. I'm pretty sure it would sign me up for ironing again (ugh), but he doesn't want a $100 shirt anyway.

This outfit features the same pants from above, with another of (I believe) the same shirt in a different pattern. Not much more to say. LOL

He looks pretty darn good in this outfit too, although our son didn't make him smile for this picture. I did start cutting the feet off again. I wanted ya'll to see how long the pants were, but I know I don't like seeing pictures of feet, so I usually cut them off.

Like I said, not too much to say about this picture. Sending both items back almost entirely on cost.








We've got to use up that $30 credit, right? This is another Cutter & Buck shirt, that we're keeping pretty much because it retails in the box for $49. It is a knit shirt, and the collar says something about dry-tek or whatever, so I'm thinking it may be a really nice summer shirt for the office.

Overall, Bombfell definitely improved, but I don't think hubby is necessarily their target market. We won't be ordering anymore boxes.

I am excited that StitchFix recently announced they were going to start doing styling for men, so I'll probably make him try that one when it rolls out. Hahaha...

We're also expecting a KidPik box for my daughter any day now. She is SO excited, and I'll be sure to share our review with you here.

Disney on Ice - 100 Years of Magic

You know I always love a Disney on Ice show! It's getting to be even more fun as I watch my four-year-old grow into enjoying them along with the rest of us. He asked me to take the picture above while we were at last night's show.

Personally, my favorite part from Disney on Ice - 100 Years of Magic was the Finding Nemo part with the baby turtles. There was a HUGE Crush, and then the whole school of turtle kids did an adorable song while skating and dancing around. The costumes were so cute, with giant eyeballs, and big flipper/claws. I loved them!

Everyone else loved the show as well. I can't wait for the next big Disney hit, as I'm getting a little tired of Frozen, but the kids around us still seemed to be enjoying it. The only part of the show that got any complaints were the firework lights. My poor son kept covering his ears when he saw the lights, but the only one that made noise was at the very end. I think he's freshly scared and scarred again since one did come through with the bang. LOL

There's still time for you to catch the show!


Disney on Ice presents 100 Years of Magic is at the Palace of Auburn Hills through March 13, 2016. Tickets are available for as little as $15 (some restrictions apply).

Join the Disney on Ice Facebook page and Twitter page to stay in the loop with the latest shows and info!

Hope to see you there!

I have been compensated for this post, but all thoughts/opinions are my own.

Supercross - March 19 @ Ford Field

Countdown! Just a little more than one week til Supercross!! Fans are ready for the roar of the engines and the crazy stunts these riders will attempt while racing to the finish line - you don't want to miss all this excitement!

Tickets are available now through Ford Field. Kids' tickets are half-price! (not valid on TAP or $15 value seats) Hope to see you there!

I have been compensated for this post, but all thoughts/opinions are my own.

Reading Challenge - Book 4

For the first item on the reading challenge list - a book based on a fairy tale - I read Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire.

I really enjoyed it, as I expected to. I'm afraid I'm not quite giving a fair shake, as my initial review would have been much more glowing. But my computer was down for a week or so, and I read another book that I loved in a different way in the meantime.

As I said, I did always expect to like this book. I read Wicked years ago, and have since seen the musical as well. I'd love to see it again anytime! Both Wicked and Son of a Witch were great reads, but not easy. Parts of it were a little more detailed than I needed, but I still got sucked into it on a regular basis and was eager to find out what happened next. Despite having finished the book more than a week ago, I still vividly remember the ending, and will probably read the next book someday, as I want to hear more!

Although Liir seemed to think he was never an important character in anything, but through his careful recounting of a bit part of his life, you saw how much influence he truly had as more than just possibly the witch's son. He was endearing as usually an average sort of guy.

Have you read this book, or any of the series after this? I'd love to hear your thoughts!