Captain Marvel: an entertaining popcorn movie

Captain Marvel opened on March 8, 2019 and it was met with mixed reviews. Some loved it, some hated it and others didn’t know quite what to think. Many fans claimed the movie was filled with a feminist agenda. Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the pair also wrote the screenplay along with Geneva Robertson-Dworet. It stars Brie Larson as Carol Danvers/Vers/Captain Marvel, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, and Jude Law as Yon-Rogg. Many fans were upset that the filmmakers changed the origin story of Captain Marvel and the related characters. I was unfamiliar with the comic character going into the film, so I was curious to see if I would see the same things. I saw the film recently and there were things I did like and things I didn’t like.

The film opens with Vers waking up from a disturbing dream with flashes of a life she doesn’t recognize. She is a member of the Kree Starforce and Yon-Rogg (played by Jude Law) is her commander and mentor. The Kree and the Skrulls, a race of shapeshifters, have been embattled in a long war and during a mission, Vers is captured by the Skrulls. Talos (played by Ben Mendelsohn) and taps her mind in order find information. This action causes her to see more images she is unfamiliar with and she eventually escapes their shackles. During her escape, she crash lands on Earth. Soon after, she encounters Agent Fury (long before he is director of SHIELD) and they eventually team up to discover who she really is and what the Kree and the Skrulls are after on Earth. Vers finally learns who she really is and what happened that lead her to be on Hala, the Kree capital. She learns she has been lied to and who the true villain is in this story. The final battle ensues as she embraces her true identity. Before leaving Earth, Carol gives Fury a pager, designed to call her in an emergency.

There was a lot I did like about the film. First, the opening scroll, which usually features the various MCU characters, was used as a tribute to Stan Lee, who had passed away before the film’s release. That was cool and emotional to see. Second, I like the character of Carol Danvers. She’s the girl who got back up when everyone else told her to quit. A powerful message for everyone who has ever been told they can’t or shouldn’t do something or be something. And I liked Brie Larson as Carol. Many reviewers complained about her robotic acting; but it makes sense in the context of the story. She had been molded by the Kree for six years with no memory, she was vulnerable to what they told her. Yon-Rogg tells her during a fight training scene, “There’s nothing more dangerous to a war than emotion. Humor is a distraction. Anger only serves the enemy” (since when is humor an emotion, but I digress). By the end of the film, she does lighten up a bit, laughs and smiles.  Third, I enjoyed the explanation on how Nick Fury lost his eye. Many people thought it was weak, but it makes sense. In Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Nick tells Steve Rogers “Last time I trusted someone, I lost an eye.” We learn in this film, that it was Goose, a Flerken disguised as a cat. In a previous scene, after Goose had devoured a few enemies, Fury picks up Goose and says, “I’m trusting you not to eat me.” So, Fury wasn’t lying when he said he trusted someone who eventually took his eye.

Now for what I didn’t like. First, the soundtrack. It was underwhelming. Yes, they were hit songs from the 90s, with one or two exceptions. Majority of the songs were great like Heart’s Crazy on You and TLC’s Waterfalls, but others were annoying obvious like No Doubt’s Just a Girl. While they were great songs, they just did not feel like they belonged or had the same impact that both Guardians of the Galaxy soundtracks did. It was almost like they just randomly decided to play a song here or there, apart from Just a Girl. However, the musical score by Pinar Toprak was good and I enjoyed it as I watched. Second, the de-aging was off. I got used to Fury’s younger face, but Coulson’s was kind of creepy and hard to watch. Luckily, he wasn’t in much of the film. Third, the overall feel of the film was fragmented. It had great buddy moments between Carol and Fury and between Carol and her friend, Maria (played by Lashana Lynch). It had entertaining fight scenes and humorous moments. But it didn’t feel cohesive.

In conclusion, overall, I enjoyed this film. It wasn’t as bad as I was led to believe. However, it wasn’t a great that was claimed by others. It’s not my favorite MCU film, but I will watch it again. The film vaguely connects to the other films; but you do not need to see this film in order to watch Avengers: Endgame (2019). I also did not see the so-called “feminist agenda” that many reviewers have claimed. There was certainly a message of empowerment but not just for girls. I can see how anyone can be empowered by this story. It has the message that we all need to work together as a team, just as Captain Marvel and Nick Fury needed each other to win the day. I recommend Captain Marvel.

June 14: Flag Day

Today is Flag Day. It is a day to commemorate the adoption of the American flag on June 14, 1777. The Second Continental Congress passed the resolution for the flag. The anniversary wasn’t an official observance until 1916 when Woodrow Wilson established the day as an observance. Flag day is not an official federal holiday. It is up to the discretion of the president to officially proclaim the observance. Pennsylvania became the first state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday in 1937. The oldest continuing Flag Day parade is held in Fairfield, Washington. What is the history of the flag? What is the symbolism? And what other flag shares it’s anniversary with the American flag.

The current design of the American flag is the 27^th design. Its current design has been in use since adding Hawaii as a stage in 1959. The Resolution in 1777 called for a flag with 13 stripes, alternating red and white and 13 stars on a field of blue. However, it did not designate how the stars would be situated on the field of blue so various flags were made. Most people are familiar with the stars in a circle design but there were multiple designs in use. The story that Betsy Ross made the first flag at the request of George Washington has been deemed false. There no record exists in Washington’s diaries or the records of the Continental Congress stating a request was made. The story was first suggested in 1870 by William Canby, Ross’ grandson. He would later admit he could not find any evidence to corroborate this story. The first official US flag was flown during battle was August 3, 1777 at Fort Schuyler (Fort Stanwix).

The flag is the nation’s most widely recognized symbol. It has become a powerful symbol of American nationalism. Reverence for the flag has reach religious like fervor for some individuals. In his book, The Religion of Old Glory (1919), William Norman Guthrie would claim the fervor was vexilloatry or flag worship. The US Flag Code, a federal law, dictates flag etiquette. Most of the rules are how the flag should be displayed and treated. It especially prohibits against the flag’s use “for any advertising purpose” and “should not be embroidered, printed, or otherwise impressed on articles such as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes,” etc. Anything that is temporary use and thrown away or something that can be soiled and washed. The flag is also prohibited to be used as apparel, bedding, or drapery. It is prohibited from being a costume or used on athletic uniforms. You’re probably thinking, “wait, what about all those items should at Fourth of July?” Yes, it seems that those items are in violation of the Flag Code. However, the code is mostly ignored because it is not widely enforced as there is no penalty for private citizens.

June 14 is also the anniversary of the Bear Flag Revolt in California. The flag features a bear, a red star and the words “California Republic.” In 1846, approximately 500 American settlers and 8,000-12,000 Mexicans lived in California. Being led by William B. Ide, 33 American settlers and mountain men arrested the Mexican general in command at Sonoma and declared the “Bear Flag Republic” on the Pacific Ocean coast as an independent nation. On June 25, Captain John C Fremont arrived at Sonoma and gave his support. He would be later elected as head of the Republic of California. The rebellion was quick to fail as forces under Commodore John D Sloat occupied San Francisco and Sonoma and claimed California for the US on July 9, 1846. The Bear Flag was adopted as the state flag when California joined the Union in 1850 as the 31^st state, after being annexed by the US following the Mexican-American War (1846-1849).

In conclusion, Flag Day is a day to celebrate the anniversary of the adoption of our nation’s flag. The flag has been through numerous redesigns, usually when a state has joined the union. While the Betsy Ross story has largely debunked, it remains a story that is still circulated. The flag is also the nation’s most widely recognized symbol and one that is the most revered by American people. There are a set of rules for flag etiquette; however, it is not widely enforced. June 14 is also the anniversary of the Bear Flag Revolt of California. Take a little extra time today and appreciate our nation’s flag.

Paris 7 am: a difficult book to finish with a disappointing story

Paris 7 am by Liza Wieland is the fictionalized story of the missing time in American poet, Elizabeth Bishop’s diary as she travels in France at the beginning of World War II. Bishop was a prolific journal keeper who wrote extensively about her life and activities. So, the missing time has intrigued scholars and biographers for years. The story opens with a dream. Elizabeth dreams of babies, babies attached to her like buttons and zippers. Then story then moves to 1930, Elizabeth is in college at Vassar with her roommate Margaret. In June 1937, Elizabeth Bishop arrives in France with her college roommates. They seek adventure and excitement away from the demands to find a husband and live quietly. But the world is changing with the growing threat of fascism and war on the horizon. They meet a group who pulls them into the underground world of rebellion and danger as they try to save child from the evils of the time. 

Paris 7 am is, unfortunately, a book that was hard to finish. I hate when I must force myself to finish a book. However, I lost interest in this story and only finished for the purpose of this review. First, I cannot stand books which do not use quotation marks to indicate speech. It is very distracting and makes it hard to read. Second, the book takes way too long to get to why the time is missing from her journals and when it does, it’s over way too quickly. Third, according to the book’s official description: “Poignant and captivating, Liza Wieland’s Paris, 7 A.M. is a beautifully rendered take on the formative years of one of America’s most celebrated—and mythologized—female poets.” I have been reading poetry since college and I had never heard of Elizabeth Bishop. I had to look her up to check if she was even real. “One of America’s most celebrated female poet”? I’m not sure about that. I do not recommend Paris 7 am. The book’s description does not match the story at all.

Paris 7 am

is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review

A Nest of Sparrows: a story of love, faith and family

A Nest of Sparrows by Deborah Raney is the story of Wade Sullivan who finds himself in a fight for those he loves after the tragic and sudden death of his fiancée. In less than two years, Wade found himself going from bachelor to family man as he fell in love with Starr Parnell and her three children: Beau, Lacey, and Danica. Starr came to Coyote, Kansas after leaving an abusive marriage in Minneapolis.  When Starr dies suddenly, Wade takes over the care of her children. As he and the children find a rhythm of work, school and life, Darrin Parnell, the children’s estranged father shows up. As the battle for custody begins, the children are placed in foster care and their case is assigned to social worker, Dee Thackery. Will Wade be able to gain custody of the children? Will he be able to give them the life he promised to them and their mother? Or will he have to watch as the children leave with their father?

A Nest of Sparrows is a great emotional story with intense drama. Wade is a man who thought his future was bright with Starr and their ready-made family. It is a story about what truly makes a family. Is it blood and biology? Or is it love and a common bond? The characters, their situations and their reactions are very realistic and relatable. I feel for Wade who seems to lose everything he loves and must fight to keep what is left. I feel for Dee who has the difficult decision to recommend either the children stay with Wade or return to the father. I highly recommend A Nest of Sparrows.

A Nest of Sparrows

Is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

D Day: 75th anniversary of the turning point in World War II

Today marks the 75^th Anniversary of D Day. The Normandy Invasion in which Allied forces stormed the beach and began the turning of the tide of World War II. I heard on the news last month that most students in America do not know or have never heard of D Day. The idea that younger generations do not know this important piece of history deeply saddens me. While it is impossible to know every event in history, there are certain events that everyone should know and remember. D Day is definitely one of those events. Also known as Operation Overlord, the Allied Invasion of Normandy would be the largest seaborne invasion in history and began the liberation of German-occupied France and later the rest of Europe. While there is so much details surrounding the events leading to and including D Day, I will focus on the main facts. The film, Saving Private Ryan (1998), features the invasion with great detail. The D Day War Memorial has been dedicated to the efforts of the Allied forces and their role in the push to victory.

The original date for the invasion was June 5, 1944. Due to bad weather, it was delayed for the next day. Dawn on June 6, thousands of paratroopers and glider troops were already on the ground behind enemy lines securing bridges and exit roads. The amphibious invasion began at 6:30 am. Strong winds blew many of the landing crafts off course and the men landed under heavy fire from the cliffs above as well as mine and other obstacles on the beach. The invasion target 50 mile stretch of the Normandy coast. Divided up into 5 sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. British and Canadians overcame light opposition to capture the Gold, Juno and Sword beaches as well as Americans at Utah beach. However, Americans at Omaha beach faced the most resistance, resulting in the heaviest casualties. Only two beaches, Juno and Gold, were linked on the first day. By June 12, all five beaches were linked. And the push toward inland began.

The first 27 minutes of Saving Private Ryan depicts the intensity of the fighting of the Omaha Beach assault. Director Steven Spielberg wanted historical representation of the D Day events. The details seen in the film are very close to the historical record. There were many stories during its theatrical run of theaters needed to stop the film to allow viewers to collect themselves as the intensity of the opening scenes were too much. Many WWII vets stated that the film was the most realistic depiction of combat they had seen in a movie (Basinger, 1998). It was so realistic that combat vets of D-Day and the Vietnam left the theaters after watching the opening scenes and refused to watch the rest of the film. Vets visits to posttraumatic stress disorder counselors rose after the film’s release and many counselors advised the most psychological vulnerable veterans to avoid watching the film (Halton, 1998). According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, a nationwide hotline was set up for veterans who were affected by the film and within two weeks of its release, there were over 170 calls (McCray, 1998). Saving Private Ryan was inspired by the story of the Niland brothers from Tonawanda, New York. Frederick “Fritz” Niland (1920-1983) was a sergeant in the 501^st Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101^st Airborne. He lost two of his brothers, Preston (1915-1944) and Robert (1919-1944), who were killed in action in the Normandy Invasion. A third brother, Edward (1912-1984) was originally believed to be killed in action but later was discovered in a Japanese POW camp in Burma.

The National D Day Memorial, in Bedford, Virginia, was dedicated on June 6, 2001 by President George W. Bush. According to the foundation which operates the memorial, the memorial is “In tribute to the valor, fidelity, and sacrifice of Allied Forces on D Day June 6, 1944” (National D Day Memorial). The memorial receives an average of 60,000 visitors a year. “At its center stands a monumental forty-four foot tall arch, embellished by the military name, “Overlord,” that was given to the crucial operation. The arch is highlighted by a reflecting pool that surrounds a captivating scene that is symbolic of the arduous trudge soldiers made onto the blood stained beaches of Normandy, France” (National D Day Memorial). The site of Bedford was chosen in memory of the Bedford Boys. Thirty-four Virginia National Guard soldiers from the town were part of the invasion. Nineteen would be killed during the first day and 4 more would be killed during the rest of the campaign. I visited the memorial in 2003 and it was a powerful experience. When I was there, there weren’t many people walking around, so the quiet stillness added to the solemnness of the memorial. I was taken on a tour of the memorial by a volunteer veteran who explained the significance of the various statues and displays. I highly recommend visiting the memorial if you ever travel to the area.

In conclusion, D Day is an important event to remember, not just for its historical significance in World War II, but for the men who fought on that day, those who died on those beaches, and those who survived to tell their stories. Saving Private Ryan gives us as accurate depiction of the battle as possible. Even after watching the film many times since its release, the opening 27 minutes still has an emotional impact. The National D Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia is a site many need to visit.

References

Basinger, Jeanine (October 1998). "Translating War: The Combat Film Genre and Saving Private Ryan". Perspectives, the Newsmagazine of the American Historical Association.

Halton, Beau (August 15, 1998). "'Saving Private Ryan' is too real for some". The Florida Times-Union. Jacksonville, Florida. Retrieved June 2, 2019.

McCrary, Lacy (August 6, 1998). "Watching `Private Ryan,' Veterans Relive The Horrors Years From Omaha Beach, Pain Lingers". Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Retrieved June 2, 2019.

National D Day Memorial. www.dday.org. Retrieved June 2, 2019.

Falling for a stranger: a love story with a bit of danger

Falling for a Stranger by Barbara Freethy is the third book in the Callaway series. The story opens with Ria, tending bar when she meets Drew Callaway. After a night of flirting, they have one night together. The next morning, she is gone. Fast forward fifteen months later, Drew is home in San Francisco and trying to move on when he thinks he sees Ria at Fisherman’s Wharf. After days of searching, happenstance allows him to run into her. It’s Ria under a new name and looking over her shoulder. She tries to push Drew away, but he is persistent. He is determined to learn her story and protect her from whatever she’s running from. Will she allow Drew to be close? Will she tell him why she’s running? Will there a happy ending?

When I bought Falling for a Stranger, I didn’t realize it was the third book in a series. However, it was a great story and if there were hints to the previous books, there were so subtle that it didn’t impede with the story. It had a great love story with lots of drama and action. I also enjoyed the hints at a greater mystery that will, no doubt, be revealed in the other books. I want to read the other books in this series. Not only to discover the truth of the mystery but to read the love stories of other members of the Callaway family. Ms. Freethy has created a family of characters that are interesting and feel very real. I recommend Falling for a Stranger.

Falling for a Stranger

and other titles in the Callaway series

are available in hardcover, eBook and Audiobook

National Rocky Road Day!

According to the National Day Calendar website, June 2 is National Rocky Road Day! A day dedicated to the sweet we know as Rocky Road. While many people hear Rocky Road, they think of ice cream, it’s most popular form; however, Rocky Road is a candy, candy bar, fudge, brownies, and cookies. What is the history of Rocky Road? What are the variations of this delicious dessert? What are the differences in Rocky Road from around the world?

Rocky Road started out as a candy in Australia around 1853. It would eventually travel across the world. By the 1900s, it was a common sight in most confectioner’s shops. According to Dreyer’s legend, in Oakland, California, William Dreyer was inspired by his partner, Joseph Edy’s Rocky Road candy. He used his wife’s sewing scissors and cutting up marshmallows and walnuts, mixing them in chocolate ice cream (today’s Dreyer’s Rocky Road has roasted almonds). After the Wall Street Crash of 1929, Dreyer and Edy gave the flavor its name, rocky road, “to give folks something to smile about in the midst of the Great Depression.” However, there is a challenge to the Dreyer legend, George Farren of Fenton’s Creamery, also, in Oakland, California, created the ice cream flavor when he blended the Rocky Road candy into ice cream and that Dreyer based his recipe on theirs’s.

When you go to any confectioner’s shop, you will find Rocky Road candy and fudge. Some may even have cookies and brownies. These variations all have the same basic ingredients: chocolate, marshmallow and a nut. Some use walnuts, almonds and cashews are used. Annabelle’s, California based candy company, makes the Rocky Road candy car. This candy bar which is one of my husband’s favorites. We find them in our area mostly at 99 Cent Stores, but I have seen them at specialty candy stores and nostalgia stores. Annabelle’s original Rocky Road candy bar is a marshmallow center coated with milk chocolate and sprinkled with roasted cashews. They have two variations: the Mint Rocky Road which is a minty marshmallow center coated with dark chocolate and sprinkled with roasted cashews and the S’mores Rocky Road, with a marshmallow with a graham cracker center, coated with milk chocolate and sprinkled roasted cashews.   

As mentioned before, Rocky Road ice cream is the most popular variation. The original Rocky Road candy is a quick and easy no bake treat which can have varying ingredients in different parts of the world. In Australia, Rocky Road is made with glace cherries (aka candied cherries), milk chocolate (although dark or white chocolate is also used), desiccated (dried) coconut, and marshmallow. In Bahrain, Rocky Road is made with milk chocolate, Nutella, and pistachios. In the United Kingdom, Rocky Road is dried fruit, biscuit (aka cookie), milk chocolate (again dark or white chocolate is also used) with a drizzling of icing sugar. In the United States, it is chocolate, marshmallows and peanuts.

In conclusion, Rocky Road started out as a candy which evolved in the ice cream that we know and love. Rocky Road has also manifested into fudge, cookies, brownies, and candy bars. Whether you believe Dreyer’s invention story or Fenton’s, Rocky Road has been a wonderful and delicious addition to our sweet tooth cravings. So on this National Rocky Road Day, enjoy your favorite variation of this great treat!