Category: Entertainment

As you know, I am a mystery buff. From television shows to books –I love mysteries. My friends and I have started a tradition; every month we “solve a murder” for our game night.

Unsolved Case Files

The most recent case we solved was Sandra Ivey…

“August 10th, 2021 – At 11:10am the world’s first commercial space station, the Delta One, lost power and all communication with ground control for 40 minutes. During the blackout, a mysterious accident claimed the life of Sandra Ivey, CEO of Astro IV, the multi-billion dollar space tech company responsible for launching the station. 

There were five other crew members aboard the Delta One and none claim to know what happened to Sandra while the power was out. Sandra’s former chief of security, Solomon Hart, was sent skyward to investigate, but only given 24 hours aboard the Delta One to make his case. Though it was officially ruled an accident, he suspects there’s more to this story than meets the eye.”

Cryptic Killers

The most recent case we solved was Case #7: Murder At Merivale Manor….

“On July 4, 1927, Astrid Pelham fell from the top floor balcony of the luxurious Merivale Manor, impaling her body on a statue below. The cause of her death remains a mystery, shrouded in whispers of murder, suicide, and even supernatural intervention. Armed with new evidence, it’s your job to piece it all together and work out who it was that killed the victim.”

My work-life balance tipped hard core to the work side, so I only managed to read ONE book this month; it was a book I was waiting for FOREVER…

1. A Grave Robbery by Deanna Raybourn
   Veronica and Stoker go on THE wildest adventure so far in the series to discover what happened to a young women; whose body was thought to be a mannequin. Riffing on Frankenstein it was a thrilling read.

Last month, I read quiet a few books; however, I didn’t decrease my TBR pile very much.

1. The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell

We meet the bold, Lucrezia di Cosimo de’Medici, who is forced to marry the Duke of Ferrara at age 15 after the death of her older sister (who had been the intended bride). After her marriage, her husband, Alfonso takes her to his court where she is subjected to totalitarian surveillance where she could potentially meet an unfortunate end.

2. Enola Holmes and the Mark of The Mongoose by Nancy Springer

Rudyard Kipling seeks to find his friend, an American book publisher who has gone missing in London. He initial goes to Enola’s office but upon discovering she is a woman; he wants to enlist Sherlock instead. Enola works the case regardless on the downlow.

3. Murder on the Christmas Express by Alexandra Benedict

In this modern take on Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, former police officer, Roz must solve the murder and prevent others from happening while the train remains derailed in the snow.

4. Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder by Catherine Lloyd

Caroline Morton finds herself back at the home of her Aunt as a guest at her cousin Mabel’s birthday ball. This go awry when a butler goes missing and a Great Aunt is found dead. She must solved the mystery plaguing the house and forge a future for herself.

What did you read this month?

Current Addictions is being replaced with the Book Club feature; where I’ll be sharing what I read over the month. I hope that you share your book recommendations with me in the comments! #bookwormsunite

January was mostly about reading books to add to my 7th grade English class library.

1. Chomp by Carl Hiassen
   Wahoo Cray and his father are animal wranglers in Florida. They are contracted by the production company for a survivalist reality show with an over-the-top host. After filming takes a turn in the Everglades; Wahoo must save his friend and make sure his father gets paid.
   
2. Wrecker by Carl Hiassen
   Set during the COVID pandemic in the Florida Key; Wrecker gets caught up in the illegal scheme of Silver Mustache. He must solve the case with the help of his friend, Willi. The story of Manuel Cabeza plays out in the background.
   
3. Enola Holmes and the Boy in Buttons by Nancy Springer
   A short story written in 2021; about the disappearance of the brother of Enola’s porter. She has to find the young boy in Aldgate Pump before danger befalls him.
   
4. Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade by Nancy Springer
   Enola must find her friend Cecily Alistair who is being mistreated by her oppressive father who is preoccupied with his social standing and her aunts who isolate her and starve her.
   

In the dead of winter, it’s tough to want to go out and do things; it’s much easier to stay home, hang out and stay warm. One of my “INs” for this year is to go on more dates with my husband.

1. Grab your favourite take-out and drive to a picturesque location to eat while you enjoy the view
2. Visit a brewery or a winery
3. Head over to a place like The Rec Room
4. Go for a fondue lunch
5. Take a class together (cooking, dance, painting, etc)
6. Nerd out at a museum
7. Go to a park, nature sanctuary or garden; meandering while enjoying hot chocolate
8. Catch a show at the local comedy club
9. Snowshoeing
10. Go to a the theater or symphony for a play or concert

Movie: Holidate (2020)

Source: Netflix

Synopsis: “Fed up with being single on holidays, two strangers agree to be each other’s platonic plus-ones all year long, only to catch real feelings along the way.”

My Thoughts: I guess technically it isn’t a true Christmas movie; but it starts with Christmas so I am going to count it. It definitely struck a chord with me: sitting at the kids table and dealing with nosy family members over the state of your love life. Ultimately, when your Christmas (or any holiday for that matter) is going off the rails you can take comfort in the rough ride that Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey go on.

It doesn’t hurt that Luke is dreamy! But the on screen chemistry between the two is on point unlike that between Leighton Meester and Robbie Amell in Exmas. Also, the incredible Kristin Chenoweth stars as the kooky, sex-crazed aunt… so what’s not to love! The cringe factor for this film is super minimal despite some of the antics!

It’s hilarious and crude and a must-see!

Rating: 10/10

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Movie: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)

Source: Disney+

Synopsis: “Young Clara needs a magical, one-of-a-kind key to unlock a box that contains a priceless gift. A golden thread leads her to the coveted key, but it soon disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. In that world, she meets a soldier named Phillip, a group of mice and the regents who preside over three realms. Clara and Phillip must now enter a fourth realm to retrieve the key and restore harmony to the unstable land.”

My Thoughts: I was intrigued when I saw this on Disney+. Despite the criticisms of Keira Knightley’s acting and the story, I personally thought it was a decent movie. It gave me Alice in Wonderland (the Mia Wasikowska) vibes. I think the problem for most people is that The Nutcracker is such a Christmas institution; it is beloved, it is tradition; so when something like that is re-imagined it is tough not to get hung up on the deviation. Taking that out of the question it is easy to appreciate this movie. The set both physical and digitally added aspects was stunning.

Rating: 10/10

I am a sucker for Christmas movies; my all time favourite of course is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, however, I have been know to indulge in what my husband refers to as the, “cheesy Hallmark,” type movies. Streaming services like Amazon Prime, Netflix and Disney+ all offer an extensive collection of them and others. For the month of December I’ll be reviewing a Christmas movie.

Movie: Christmas in Vienna (2019)

Source: Amazon Prime

Synopsis: “An American (Amy) looking for a change of scenery heads to Vienna for Christmas. Taking ballroom dance lessons with the hope of getting into the city’s biggest ball of the season, she finds herself falling for Lukas, her dashing European dance partner.”

My Thoughts: First off, there is another movie with Sarah Drew with the same movie; however, that leading lady is a concert violinist who lost her passion. “Googlers” beware! Anyways, THIS version, was sweet and cringey as to be expected.

Within the first five minutes Amy is dumped by her boyfriend in the most humiliating way. She shows up to dinner expecting a marriage proposal but he has another “proposal” for her instead. There is the typical fast decent into love for the leads while they dance together, navigate her tendency to clumsiness and decorate his stunning home for Christmas.

No movie like this would be complete without the CLASSIC MIX UP! This being whether she has a boyfriend and the possibility of him getting back with his shrew of an ex-girlfriend. We all know it will be AND EXPECT it to be resolved so they can live happily ever after. One thing that was a bit distracting was the horrible attempts to dub some of the characters. I am not sure why there was dubbing; but someone was asleep in post-production.

Rating: 6/10

Normally every month I set three small goals for myself, but my coworkers and I are participating in a 20 Day Mental Health Challenge –so I think 20 small goals trump 3 small ones.

1	Go to bed 1 hour earlier than usual.	11	Enjoy the sun. Eat lunch outside.
2	Journal 10 things you’re grateful for.	12	Unsubscribe from unnecessary emails.
3	Take a walk outdoors.	13	Send an encouraging text to 5 people.
4	Call someone you love today.	14	Wake up 30 minutes earlier to reflect.
5	De-clutter your room or desk.	15	Plan a tea/smoothie date with a friend.
6	Take a social media sabbatical.	16	Go the entire day without complaining.
7	Make a list of short term goals.	17	Buy yourself flowers.
8	Make the most epic, creative salad you can think of.	18	Make time for a wholesome breakfast.
9	Slow down; sit and watch the sunset.	19	Do one thing you have been putting off.
10	Get rid of 5 things you never use.	20	Don’t overthink; practice being present.