#holiday reviews

[pjs-everyday]

pinky got 'em cat-quirked for fun, here are her thoughts!!!

[quinton-reviews]

Jokes on you, I never had integrity

[ferrarer17]

Not sure who thought it was a fail??? But you can’t please everyone!

(Mild spoilers)

Overall, I thought it was good. We got the relationships we wanted (lovers, sisters, best friends) and the conversations that were needed. Lots of laughs, lots of heart stings and plenty of action.

It wasn’t quite the ending I was hoping for, but the good thing is, it has definitely left the door open for another.

Melanie was amazing as ever, going seamlessly between sarcastic and emotional.

Dom’s progression in themselves was evident and so good to see that Emily allowed it to continue into their character. They are as sassy as ever and very funny. (I lost count of the amount of times they mentioned Nicole’s fingers…)

Doc’s character was a bit confused I thought. He clearly loved Wynonna but he didn’t seem sure of who he was. I felt it meant he didn’t have that spark he normally does.

Kat was adorable as ever and her comedic timing was on point. She was tough, soft, funny and loving and I was happy she still had the ‘little mermaid vibes’.

I will do a much more detailed review soon, I just don’t want to post too many spoilers as there will be so many people who haven’t seen it yet.

If you haven’t, strap in, it’s a great Earper ride!

[majoresca]

Holiday in Enchancia

I know that Cedric didn't appear in this episode, which I find strange.

If the royal family had asked Cedric to use his crystal ball to find Roland's location while he was missing, they wouldn't have needed to go looking for him in a blizzard and risk their own safety.

Maybe a locator spell would even end up finding him.

I don't think Cedric would have neglected to look for Roland, even if they weren't such good friends anymore.

Indeed Cedric wanted the throne, but I don't think he would be so cruel to let his childhood friend get lost in the snow to die, especially considering that in addition to being king, Roland is also a father of a family.

The script could have given an excuse that the crystal ball was being interfered with by the blizzard, and that it wouldn't be able to find Roland accurately.

[howlsmovinglibrary]

holiday book round-up

(a wrap up of everything I read when I was away!)

wylding hall by elizabeth hand. (4*)

Daisy Jones and the Six, but make it fey and spooky. This was the best novel I read whilst away. The remaining members of an acid folk band try their best to recollect and reconstruct the events that led up to their lead singer's mysterious disappearance, in the grand manor known as Wylding Hall. what happened to Julian Blake, and who was the mysterious girl he vanished with?

small miracles by olivia atwater. (3*)

this is one book the good omens girlies might consider getting into, given recent... stuff and things. the concept (a tense alliance over party lines, governed by the fate of a single soul) has a lot of overlap, only with a lot more women involved.

I am *not* a good omens girlie, so it took me a while to get into this book as much as Atwater's fairy stuff. but as always, she writes incredibly compelling character and romance dynamics. i shipped the main pairing so hard by the end.

a marriage of undead inconvenience by stephanie burgis. (2.5*)

I thought this novella would be written specifically for me (an arranged marriage between a headstrong lady academic and a sarcastic posh vampire... iykyk). But unfortunately, I think it was too short to get to fully enjoy it's own premise. I found the academic rivalry subplot more compelling than the romance, I guess bc that's an easy dynamic to set up in a short space of time.

the biting, though. Stephanie gets it.

where the dark stands still by a.b. poranek. (2.75*)

This book combines a lot of the good things of Howl's Moving Castle, Uprooted, and Shadow and Bone. If you like any of the above, you will probably enjoy this! But it does not - in my opinion - surpass any of them.

It was a fun read, with some stand out sentences, and also some extremely derivative ones, that kind of meant everything flattened out overall. And, alas: I'm always wary of third person present-tense, in the hands of edgelords.

[poppletonink]

FILM REVIEW: Roman Holiday

★★★★★ - 5 stars

"What the world needs is a return to sweetness and decency."

During her grand tour of Europe, an adventurous, young princess escapes into Rome during the middle of the night. While she explores the city, she falls in love with an American journalist.

Roman Holiday is a light-hearted, adorable romance with a bittersweet ending. It takes the viewers by the hand and guides them down the streets of an ancient and tremendously cultural city. Be prepared to consult TripAdvisor, because, after an hour and fifty-eight minutes of watching Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck's dazzling love affair, you will most certainly feel the need to travel. The film encapsulates the beauty of Rome through a classy and glamorous lens - black and white in colour and yet brimming with emotion. It shows the human desire for thrilling escapades and freedom from the constraints imposed upon us - be it through work, school or, as in the film, our living situation. Regardless of whether riding on a motorbike, daring fate at the La Bocca della Verità and eating gelato in Rome is your idea of freedom, these actions incite a hunger for adventure within viewers.

This cult classic film plays with many tropes including, but not limited to, 'the important haircut', 'the bet', and 'the rebellious princess'. While many tropes are used to fuel the drama and plot of the film, others add to its cathartic and fun nature. The most notable use of a trivial trope is when Princess Ann has her hair cut into a pixie cut - though an act of rebellion and freedom, it shows spontaneity and relatability in her character, making Roman Holiday even more entertaining to watch.

Having defined the very nature of the genre over the past seven decades, Roman Holiday is a must-watch romantic comedy and perfect for a vintage film binge.

[thecluelessdoctor]

CHRISTMAS MOVIES

Now as much as I rip and hate on chrismas at times, I need to admit there is not a better feeling than experiencing a childlike wonder again. Seeing beautiful hand crafted clock work decor and extraordinary snow globes, or seeing those mechanical trains youd see in the movies, nothing beats the feeling like that.

I'ma talk about the movie Klaus. A personal favorite of mine, not just for chrismas.

Klaus was released on Netflix about four years ago (I feel old)

I love this movie. It breaks the Christmas movie stereotype and it does it well. I love it from animation, to story, to duologue to characters, it's amazing.

So to start off, let's start with animation and style.

Uhm.

I can't explain it just look

Stupid thumbnail. But yeah. Watch it. Beautiful.

Story!

The story is beautiful.

It starts, with a letter. Just a letter.

And a man.

The plot starts with Jesper, the snotty son of the owner of a huge postal company. Jesper is failing postal school, before being told to be a post man in a town in a island called Smeerinsberg, and have 6000 letters done in one year.

Smeerinsberg is a violent town, a large feud between two family's that go back generations living there.

Jesper has a hard time getting letters at all. Until that is a small child drops his drawing out the window and towards Jesper. Remember this. Jesper tries to get the child to mail the letter, before he is attacked by the child's father's dogs. Before this he meets a character named Ava, who was a attempted teacher

Weeks pass by, and he finds out about the old woodsman cabin, and desides to go there, finding many hand crafted toys.

The woodsman comes home, holding his large axe, and scaring jesper. Jesper flees, dropping the drawing from the child.

Things happen, and the woodsman, Klaus, tells jesper to bring him to the home of that child to deliver a present. Jesper does so (unwillingly) and nearly dying.

The next day, jesper wakes up to a few children saying they have letters for Klaus. Montage of Jesper bribing kids for toys lmao.

Jesper then goes back to klaus's home, pleadunf to be able to take the toys to the kids and shiz. Klaus agrees, and they'll do it at the dead of night.

Word gets around about Klaus, no one knowing it's actually jesper that's going into the homes lol.

One day he's getting letters, and meets a little girl named Márgu, who is Sámi, and Jesper cant understand her. He also learns some of the children can't write and read, so he sends them to Ava's school.

He also remeets a kid who told him to go home earlier in the movie, who he gave coal, and ends up making a thing called the Naughty list, sorta as a explanation.

Children all over town start doing good deeds, and soon after, the adults follow after. The two family's have dwinled, the large fued basically being ignored. The two leaders of the families make a truce to put a end to this peace.

Jesper is then at Klaus's cabin, rambling about his idea called 'Christmas'

After this, Jesper and Klaus get into a argument, and jesper goes home to find Márgu there. Jesper sorta vents, before deciding to try and figure out what Márgu wants. He goes to Ava's school, who helps translate a letter basically

Jesper goes home, and attempts to make what Márgu wanted, even though he doesn't know how to work wood

Klaus comes back, and helps him make Márgu's gift, and they go to deliver it, seeing her excited. They are later back at Klaus's cabin feeding the reindeer, and jesper is obviously happy that he made Márgu happy.

More stuff happens, and after a bit, Márgu's people have come to Klaus's cabin to help. They make him a sleigh, and a outfit similar to theirs, as well as help with toy making.

Though during this, what's left of the two family's finds out about jesper's goal of 6000 letters, and end up 'helping' him.

It's December 24th now, daylight, and suddenly jesper's dad comes to collect him, saying he's done 14000 letters. Klaus, Ava, and the Sámi people feel betrayed, and are mad at him

He goes to leave, but looks extremely sad, sadder than when he came to Smeerinsberg. His dad gives him the look, and he ends up staying.

Márgu went to go find him, trying to stop him. But looks like he missed his ride.

He ends up seeing the mob planning to get rid of the gifts, and trys to intervene, que drama scene with lots of tension, before it was revealed it was all a decoy, and jesper ends up regaining everyone's trust, and they go to deliver the gifts.

Years pass, and word spread, and they had to expand, just as they had hoped. Ava and jesper are in love, and jesper gets a mustache at one point (in which Klaus remarks 'what is on your face')

But suddenly, by the 12th year, Klaus's time has finally come, and he goes to join his wife. To anyone other than the viewer though, he seems to have just.m disappeared.

We cut to later, in a Christmas eve with jesper's kids. Him and Ava tuck them into bed, and Jesper goes down, to stay up for the night, the movie ending with the line 'but once a year, I get to see my friend'

Truly a beautiful movie.

I can't express how much I love this movie, and I can't even explain how good it is.

It's a 20/10, go check it out

[linesonscreens]

Let's Read Peanuts (Sponsored by “Snicker-Snacks”) – July 1957

There are lots of great strips I just don't have room to comment on. I strongly encourage everybody to read the full month at the official GoComics page. Today's month starts HERE.

July 2, 1957

Married? I legitimately can't remember a single interaction between them.

July 3, 1957

I really like this one because it's so rare that we get to see Charlie Brown and Lucy just doing friend stuff without one dunking on the other. It gives you a bit of insight into why they bother to spent time together.

July 9, 1957

Well they’re…

Um…

Hold on a moment...

~Googles~ 

They’re this part of a barrel, apparently.

Also while looking that up I also found this video on how barrels are made. 

Neat!

July 11, 1957

An interesting strip considering “getting called into the army” literally happened to Schulz.

July 16, 1957

The things Charlie Brown has seen will haunt him for decades.

July 26, 1957

I like Shermy’s shirt. It really gives you the impression that he has a personality of some kind.

July 28, 1957

New blog header image found!

Lookit how mad he is! :3

Thoughts

I don't ~want~ to dunk on Shermy. I actually feel kind of bad about doing it considering the way he gets unceremoniously sidelined into oblivion. But god damnit kid, get a hobby or something. Literally anything will do.

Here, I'll give you this stapler. You're the stapler kid now. You're welcome.

[belladoesmakeup]

Hi everyone!

I know it's been a while and thank you for being patient with me! With blogging I go through phases where I love blogging and over times when I don't write a lot but luckily for us we are back! And speaking of things coming back ,we are chatting about one of my favourite Charlotte Tilbury products that has come back in her holiday collection! We are chatting about the Hypnotising Pop Shots!

Now if you cast your mind back to 2 years ago in Charlotte's Holiday Collection she brought out individual glitter eyeshadows called Hypnotising Pop Shots, £25.00. In the original collection there 7 shades and then the year after she brought out 2 Pillow Talk inspired shades but the original 7 never came back ..... until now! The iconic shadows are back in this years holiday collection and I am over the moon about it!

Now let's talk price, obviously £25.00 is a lot for one shadow however I have seen other high end brands charge £30+ for shadows. When you compare to other high end prices it isn't the worst price I've seen out there and in my opinion the shadow formula is worth it. These glitter shadows are stunning and they look amazing on their own or layered with the eye look. If you're a fan of glitter I really think you'll love these shadows.

As always all products mentioned are linked above and don't forget I have a 15% off code for new customers on their first order, the code is chanelldqFA7C7

Lot's of love,

Bella x x

[chalamet-chalamet]

✨ TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET-2022 FITS ✨

[blog-i-carry-your-heart-with-me]

Review : The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch

★★★★★ Have you ever thought to yourself ‘what if Red, White & Royal Blue met a holiday-themed fantasy world?’ Because if you have, look no further! The Nightmare Before Kissmas was a heart-filled, emotionally devastating, hilarious, politically intriguing romantasy-comedy that is sure to become a forever star of the genre. The Nightmare Before Kissmas follows Christmas Prince Nicholas ‘Coal’…

[escespace]

Ok but let's talk about how well laid out the social organizations and traditions are. I didn't feel confused or lost and that's quite an achievement for me because sometimes too much description leaves me my brain with error 505

And Arthur's relationship with Merlin was intriguing from the start. Coming from Merlin's POV you'd think he'd be so oblivious to Arthur's actions and desires that the reader would overlook them too. But there is something in the back of Merlin's mind that gives him hope and makes him suspect (even if he doesn't want to admit it) that perhaps his feelings are reciprocated. That's what keeps the reader biting their nails waiting for a big move from Arthur. 

The unfolding of all the emotions and revelations was organic and fluid. Like them, it was not outrageously over the top but like their friendship, light and Heartwarming

The blink at Balinor and Hunith is also beautiful. 

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Merlin (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon Additional Tags: finding warmth, Angst, Yuletide Summary:

The citadel is coldest during Midwinter vigil, but warmth comes in many forms on that magical night.

Written for Kianspo for the 2011 Merlin_hols gift exchange!

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

Fa-la-la-la laaaa!

It's that time. I hope you know that I care about you and whatever you celebrate or don't I have a gift for you! Family can be really great but it can also be soul crushing. Just remember your found family is equally important and I consider you all my tumblr fandom family. Don't let them get you down. Escape into fic when you need a break!

(I asked for Turkey day fics and only got a few, so I thought I'd just include them in the Holiday fics list. I've done this a few years, so you can check out the Holiday tag for more.)

Anon

Not Quite Lost (Not Quite Found) by alocalband

(1/1 I 25,025 I Explicit I Sterek)

A year after the nogitsune is defeated, Derek is living a quiet life in the mountains above a small town in Colorado.

Then Stiles shows up.

@hokee101

can't be hateful, gotta be grateful by HalfFizzbin

(1/1 I 6,260 I Teen I Sterek)

"Be cool, Dad, we've decided to con Grandma."

(Or, the one where the Stilinski men drag Derek to Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma's and she gets the right wrong idea.)

Pack is Pack, No Matter How Far by HappyJuicyfruit

(1/1 I 9,927 I Teen I Sterek)

Derek tries to deal with his pack moving away for college. Stiles helps (a lot).

Filter Out the Starlight by skoosiepants

(1/1 I 12,238 I Teen I Sterek)

“Why are you not more curious about me?” Stiles says when Derek’s got the door half open, sun spilling over the dark wood, dust motes spinning about his legs. Stiles is wearing fabric that hasn’t been invented yet, he’s clutching a smart phone to his chest, and he appeared out of nowhere, like an angel.

Softly, Derek says, “We all have our secrets,” and closes the door.

Or-

A heartbroken Stiles accidentally travels back in time to find his one true love. A harlequin-ish Christmas romance.

Cupboard Love by mklutz 

(2/2 I 32,286 I General I Sterek)

He’s carefully balancing the sandwiches and the two biggest tupperware containers he could find that both had functioning lids when the front door opens and he almost drops everything right there in front of the stupid fountain.

If that’s Derek Hale, he’s definitely not a mountain man.

A Hale for the Holidays by rlnerdgirl 

(1/1 I 38,095 I Explicit I Sterek)

“I sent you a Christmas card that got sent back to me. Did you get a new apartment?” his dad wonders. The question is all suspicion and little anything else.

A flicker of an idea sparks. It’s not nearly formed well enough for him to say, “Yeah, actually,” and when he follows that with, “I moved in with someone,” he wants to punch himself in the face. He’s living with someone?!

“You’re living with someone?” It’s the same voice and tone as the one in Stiles’ head, just thirty years older.

Two things keep Stiles from bashing his face onto the table: there’s a steaming cup of coffee in the way and, more importantly, his dad will definitely hear. Someone passes by in front of him and a semi-familiar book cover catches his eye. “Derek Hale,” he muses, and stops. No. That wasn’t meant to be out loud.

Three Marks by sanam

(8/8 I 113,736 I Mature I Sterek)

"And then there was pain again, but this time it was in only three places—his arm, below his clavicle, and next to his heart, all on the left side. It felt like the skin was being sliced apart, ripped open, flayed off— And suddenly it was done. Derek looked across the room and saw the boy on the floor, looking about as bad as Derek felt."

Derek and Stiles learn that bonding is probably best done with ridiculous amounts of video games and maybe a little bit of time.

Come Light A Candle With Me by HappyJuicyfruit

(1/1 I 1,804 I General I Sterek)

Derek celebrates Hanukkah with Stiles.

My World Is Filled With Cheer And You by bleep0bleep

(1/1 I 10,832 I Teen I Sterek)

“It was a last minute decision. Single parents with children draw attention to themselves in this type of neighborhood, and this department didn’t have a big budget to relocate all the werewolf and werewolf sympathizers that were targeted on this list. We’ve combined a lot of our relocation assignments. It ended up working out that another family, Mr. Stilinski and his son, looked like a good fit for you guys, so you’ll be sharing a home with them for the time being.” Markowski grins at him. “Congratulations! You’re married!”

~

In which Derek and his daughter are displaced just in time for the holidays, matched up with Stiles and his young son in a government protection program.

[thenefilim]

Review - Silent Bite (2024) On Christmas Eve, a gang of bank robbers find themselves sharing a motel with a group of female vampires.

https://www.voicesfromthebalcony.com/2024/11/16/silent-bite-2024-review/

[thatgothsamurai]

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

I want to especially thank wenzhou for making my 2021 a whole lot better😌🌸

3,601 notes - Posted January 2, 2022

#4

Kinnporsche: The Movie (2022)

now playing in all imagination inside your head

4,005 notes - Posted August 6, 2022

#3

kinnporsche sketchdump + sorry i left some lil commentary..

4,655 notes - Posted June 5, 2022

#2

4,799 notes - Posted February 5, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

my part of @theuntamedzine ✨

4,904 notes - Posted March 13, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[betsysbooknook]

📚: Gifted to His Dad by J. Wilder

Tropes:

👉 Forbidden

👉 MFM

👉 Holiday

TWs 😟: Mentions of neglectful parenting

Main Takeaway 🏹: Fun, Spicy, Holiday Romance

Synopsis 📜: Eve is going to her boyfriend, Cole’s, cabin for the holiday’s. Things take a wild turn when she finds herself incredibly attracted to his stepdad when he shows up at the cabin as well. Little does she know, this was their hope and plan all along.

Personal Thoughts 🤔: There’s nothing I love more than a Holiday Novella that’s almost completely spice. Throw in a dash of forbidden, taboo romance to the mix and I am all in. This novella did not disappoint and the chemistry between these three was off the charts.