Why the Series, The Man in the High Castle is Captivating - 5 Star Review

 

Storyline Overview

An alternate history where the Axis powers won World War II, leading to a divided America ruled by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan.

Main Characters:

• Juliana Crain: A woman who becomes entangled in the resistance movement.
• John Smith: An American who becomes a high-ranking Nazi official.
• Frank Frink: Juliana's boyfriend also gets involved in the resistance.
• Trade Minister Tagomi: A Japanese official with a mysterious interest in alternate realities.

Setting: 

The series is set in the 1960s in a dystopian world where the U.S. is split between the Greater Nazi Reich (east) and the Japanese Pacific States (west).

Number of Seasons:

• Total Seasons: 4
• Episodes: The series has a total of 40 episodes
• Season 1 was released in November 2015

Summary of the Series

The show begins with Juliana Crain receiving a mysterious film that shows a different version of history, where the Allies won the war. This film is part of a collection known as "The Grasshopper Lies Heavy," which depicts alternate realities.

As Juliana delves deeper, she discovers a complex web of resistance movements, secret alliances, and dangerous enemies.

John Smith's rise in the Nazi hierarchy presents a chilling view of the cost of power and loyalty.

Trade Minister Tagomi's spiritual journey and encounters with alternate realities add a layer of philosophical depth and hope.

Why the Series, The Man in the High Castle is Captivating

Alternate Realities: My favorite part of this series is the alternate realities! The series masterfully explores the concept of alternate realities, posing the intriguing question of what the world might be like if Germany and Japan had won WWII.

Suspenseful Plot: Each episode is filled with suspense, political intrigue, and unexpected twists, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

Complex Characters: The characters are well-developed and multifaceted, making it easy to become invested in their personal journeys and struggles.

Visual and Historical Detail: The series is visually compelling, with meticulous attention to detail in its portrayal of a 1960s dystopian America.

Anticipation for More: Despite the conclusion of season 4, fans are left craving more, wondering if there will ever be a season 5 to explore the alternate realities and unresolved storylines further.

As a fan, I can't wait to see if there will ever be a season 5 that delves deeper into these compelling characters' and alternate histories and fates.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book Review of Victims by Jonathan Kellerman

An Alex Delaware Novel

To date, there are 39 books in the Alex Delaware series by author Jonathan Kellerman. Victims is book #27 in the series, published in 2012. It features child psychologist Alex Delaware who, in his spare time, acts as a consultant to the Los Angeles Police Department on difficult murder cases his best friend, homicide detective Milo Sturgis, investigates.  Victims, as well as the entire Alex Delaware series of books, takes place in Los Angeles.

Synopsis of Victims

A woman is found murdered in what becomes the first in a gruesome crime spree. The first victim, Vita Berlin, was not a very nice woman, mean and rude to everyone she met, but still…..she didn’t deserve to be murdered.

The third victim in the bloody spree was also not a very pleasant individual; yet, the second victim was considered kind, well liked and loved by all. 

With no apparent connection among the victims, Detective Sturgis is baffled with practically no clues except for a blank page bearing a question mark left at each scene. 

Milo calls in his go-to expert in hunting homicidal maniacs. But despite his finely honed skills, even Alex is baffled as each slaying occurs and a direction cannot be found toward solving these crimes.

Finally, as pieces of the puzzle begin to fit together, and a horrible portrait of a sinister mind emerges, Milo and Alex begin to see the pattern leading them to a solution found within a shuttered mental institution. 

Summary

A murder mystery not for the faint of heart, but an exciting read for long-time fans of Alex Delaware and his detective friend, Milo Sturgis. You might want to keep the lights on while you read. 

More Jonathan Kellerman Book Reviews:

• The Wedding Guest
• The Burning

For more book reviews, check out ReviewThisBooks.com

Victims: An Alex Delaware Novel

*Book Review of Victims written by Wednesday Elf

 

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The Zookeeper's Wife (2017) - Movie Review

Even though the movie was released in 2017, I just finished watching "The Zookeeper's Wife" and I suspect it will haunt my mind for a long time to come.

I use the word "haunt" for several reasons.  First, there are some scenes that I found very hard to watch.  Actually, I closed my eyes for fear of what they would actually show.  As it turns out, there really wasn't anything too graphic to view, but my mind's eye had no problem filling in what the filmmakers graciously left out. 

Second, I had trouble believing parts of it.  I won't go into detail, but I would be interested to hear if you had the same reaction if you watch the movie.

And last, but not least, was the obvious question of what would I do, what would any of us do, if faced with the same decisions. 

It is for that last reason that I would recommend this movie.  

When I picked up this DVD to watch, I chose it because the images on the cover looked so "precious".  I had no idea I was about to watch a movie based on a true story, on real people, and events in Warsaw during WWII.

In real life, the Żabińskis were recognized by Yad Vashem (The World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Israel) as "Righteous Among the Nations" for their heroic actions and saving hundreds of Jews.  The Warsaw Zoo is still in operation today.

The Zookeeper's Wife

 The Zookeeper's Wife [DVD]Check Price Antonina Żabińska was the zookeeper's wife.  The couple had friends from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities.  Antonina had one admirer, Lutz Heck, who would play a big part in the survival of the zoo and unwittingly help them with their ability to "hide" and transport Jews to safety.

Knowing in advance that the Germans would be moving into Warsaw sooner or later, Antonina refused to leave her husband, her home and the zoo animals.  As a result of that decision, she and her son became an integral part in caring for and sheltering the Jews that arrived at the zoo.

Not long after the occupation of Warsaw, the valuable zoo animals were transferred to the Berlin Zoo in Germany by their "friend", Lutz Heck.  Under the guise of raising pigs for the German soldier's meals, the zoo was allowed to remain open and became the perfect hiding place.  However, there was much danger in the day to day operation and not everyone could be saved.    

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The Zookeeper's Wife by:

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Japanese Garden-Missouri Botanical Garden

 

When I visit the Missouri Botanical Gardens, the area I always gravitate to is the Japanese Gardens.  In this post, I will be reviewing my last visit to the gardens and sharing the photos that I took of this beautiful, serene garden.  The scene above shows the Japanese Bridge as it goes over to Teahouse Island.   It is what you see as you enter the path the goes around the lake in the garden.

The garden at St. Louis is considered to be the largest Japanese strolling garden in the country. It covers 14 acres in the Missouri Botanical Garden.

My Visit to the Japanese Garden

I visited the garden on a beautiful day in early July.  My sister and I took the tram from the entrance of the botanical garden and got off on the stop for the Japanese Garden.  From there we took the path to stroll around the large lake and enjoy the serenity of the afternoon.  I stopped to photograph many of the historic lanterns that were found around the path.  One near the entrance was from the World's Fair in St. Louis in 1904. It is the first one in the photos below. Others were gifts from various cities in Japan.  You can find out more about them at the link I list at the bottom of the page.  Here are a few photos of the different lanterns.

The lanterns were placed within the beauty of the garden and add to the peaceful setting.

The garden also has some wonderful waterfalls that give you a peaceful feeling.  The one below is one that I have photographed often in the past.  The foliage around it gives it different feels, depending on the time of year you visit.

An interesting feature of the garden is a bench in the shape of a flower.  It is an Anemome and is the favorite flower of Courtney Bean Obeta, a St. Louis artist.  It was designed in her memory.

Another interesting bridge is this crooked bridge that goes out into the water.  It is a favorite for children (and adults) to walk.

I hope you have enjoyed my pictorial review of my visit to the Japanese Garden in St. Louis.  To learn more here is an Amazon book you might like.  https://amzn.to/4cscM3v .

I have written other reviews on the Missouri Botanical Gardens.  Here are some links to my reviews.

https://www.reviewthisreviews.com/2023/10/review-of-missouri-botanical-garden.html

Review of Origami in the Garden (reviewthisreviews.com)

I invite you to read more about this beautiful garden at the Missouri Botanical website on the Japanese garden page. Japanese Garden

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Shari Lapena's What Have You Done? ~ A Book Review

Are you a Murder/Mystery Fan?  If so, this is a book that you should put on your radar!  Shari Lapena's  novel, What Have You Done? is a page turner and will keep you guessing right until the very end.  

Right now it is in pre-publishing and is scheduled for release on July 30th of this year.  

Shari does a masterful job in keeping the suspense growing in this novel.  The story begins in a small town where everyone knows everyone and nothing ever happens either!  The folks in Fairhill, Vermont are about to find out what happens when something happens......

A farmer's field and a tired farmer coming back to the homestead after a hard day in the fields, notices turkey vultures flying in the distance.  This can only mean something is out there and it could be some forest critter or something bigger.

Roy Ressler (the farmer) must go out and investigate, but he's not really looking forward to finding out  what those vultures are gorging on. He's not too fazed by what he's facing, after all he's a volunteer firefighter in the town and has seen some pretty nasty things, but nothing has prepared him for this find.

The small town is home to one high school, one grocery store and a hardware store.  There is not too much going on in Fairhill.  Until now!

This book had me reading into the late hours of the night.  I just had to find out how everyone was connected and who could possibly have caused so much tragedy in such a short time.

The author does an amazing job of making you feel like you would know these people and so you become invested in the story before the second chapter is complete.  I guess it's a good thing I'm not a great sleeper.  

Everything you ever thought about living in a small town is true in Fairhill.  No one worries about locking their doors, drawing the drapes or having a security system in place.  Everyone knows everyone and very little is ever out of place.

The kids hang out at the local graveyard telling ghost stories and spooking each other out.  But it is more comedy than anything else.

All of that is about to change.....Evan, Taylor, Riley and Diana (friends since grade school days) are about to have their world torn apart!

I don't want to give away too much of the story, so I will just let you know that there is some "colorful" language and a little bit of teenage dating angst in this story.  But nothing that is too "in your face".  

I'm sure that you will become totally involved in this story as I was. 

 As a member of NetGalley.com, I was privileged to read this book as "An Advanced Readers Copy".   I would give this novel 5 STARS *****!

 If you would like to join me and read lots of different types of books just click on the link above, but if you want to read a great book than click the link to Amazon to order your own copy!

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Play-Doh Airplane Explorer Starter Set Review

Play-Doh's Airplane Explorer Starter Set will appeal to the little and even the big folk who are enthralled with airplanes. What follows is a brief review of this set.

Released in 2024, this set is considered a starter set for children aged 3 and up and is perfect for airplane-themed creative play. 

It comes complete with a rolling airplane that stamps cloud patterns as you roll it along and that includes molds in the cockpit so that you can make a pilot or two. It also includes a world map-themed playmat, travel-themed molds to make shapes that are seen on the mat, a globe roller, a luggage roller and a camera that molds postcards. Of course, it also comes with the iconic modeling clay. In this case, there are four canisters in blue, green, orange and purple. 

Here's a peek at the set in action:

This set is good for little ones to develop fine motor skills, engage their imaginations and explore the world on a map.

It is a fun set for little ones but I think it would be a "made you smile" kind of gift for anyone who works in the aviation industry, too.  As Play-Doh says, "no passport is required" to travel with this set.

Find Play-Doh's Airplane Explorer Starter Set here on eBay.

See you at the toy store!

Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

MORE PLAY-DOH

Retired, new, used and vintage Play-Doh sets in my eBay store.

Play-Doh's Campfire Picnic Playset.
The World of Play-Doh.

Play-Doh's Classic Medical Clinic Doctor or Operation-Themed Set.

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MeTV Reviewed

Quality television from days gone by (and this is a very good thing!) continues the run on MeTV, America's Classic Television station. Stream MeTV and revisit or visit for the first time high quality television whether it be a drama, comedy, western or family show.

There are many classic shows to choose from on MeTV.  Of course there are a few shows with sketchy acting, but you still love the darn show. 

Shows on MeTV

The MeTV line up is chock full of quality shows aka classic television. These shows include:

Mary Tyler Moore Show

Dick Van Dyke Show

MASH

The Carol Burnett Show

The Andy Griffith Show

The Honeymooners

My Three Sons

The Waltons

Star Trek

Leave It To Beaver

Classic Television Shows We Love To Watch

These shows are perhaps not shows with the highest quality of acting or plots, but we love them just the same!

Shows In Their Own Classic Category

The Love Boat 

Who can forget the theme song and the cast of regulars! The solid formula every week with a who's who of television stars of the decade. The guest stars were fun to watch even if their acting was sketchy at times. 

The Waltons

Solid, dependable and to this day fans love The Waltons. The series which stands the test of time for how many times can one watch the same episode! Considering The Waltons began airing in 1972 - that is many a decade of reruns for old and new fans!

The Crime Shows

Mannix, Matlock, Adam 12, Dragnet, and In The Heat Of The Night. All shows which had very successful runs with some of the most remembered actors of the decade.

The Westerns

Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Wild Wild West, The Big Valley. 

Cutting The Cable Cord

If you are ready to discontinue cable television and jump into what free television offers MeTv should be on your radar. Quality television at no cost (or perhaps the cost of a digital antenna) is a treasure to find.

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Why I Love The Science Fiction Movie, Lucy - 5 Stars

Introduction - The Movie Lucy

This movie is science fiction, so if you're into a creative approach to science fiction, "Lucy" hits the mark. With its imaginative storyline and top-quality cast, it's earned five stars from me! I've watched this movie about ten times.

"Lucy" is a 2014 science fiction action film directed by Luc Besson. The movie follows the journey of a young woman named Lucy, played by Scarlett Johansson, who inadvertently gains superhuman abilities after a powerful synthetic drug is absorbed into her bloodstream. Lucy discovers she can manipulate time and space as her brain capacity increases, gaining extraordinary cognitive and physical powers.

The Plot and Themes

The central theme of "Lucy" revolves around unlocking the human brain's full potential. The film starts with Lucy being coerced into working as a drug mule. The drug she carries, CPH4, is accidentally released into her system, leading to a series of transformative events. As her brain capacity increases, Lucy's abilities grow exponentially. She acquires knowledge instantaneously, develops telekinetic powers, and even gains control over matter and time.

The movie explores profound philosophical questions about the nature of human existence, intelligence, and evolution. It delves into the idea of what humanity could achieve if we could tap into our minds' unused potential, a concept that has fascinated scientists and thinkers for centuries.

The Cast

The film boasts a talented cast that brings its intriguing story to life. Scarlett Johansson delivers a compelling performance as Lucy, capturing her character's transformation from an ordinary woman to a being with god-like powers. Johansson's portrayal of Lucy's journey is intense and captivating, making her character's evolution believable and engaging.

Morgan Freeman plays Professor Norman, a leading researcher in brain capacity and cognitive function. His character provides crucial insights into the story's scientific and philosophical underpinnings. Freeman's authoritative presence and thoughtful delivery add depth to the film, making the scientific concepts accessible to the audience.

Choi Min-sik, known for his role in "Oldboy," plays the ruthless drug lord Mr. Jang. His menacing performance adds a layer of tension and danger to the film, providing a formidable antagonist for Lucy to confront as she navigates her new abilities.

Why I Loved the Movie "Lucy"

"Lucy" captivated me by exploring the human mind's untapped potential. The film's premise that we only use a small percentage of our brain capacity has always intrigued me. The idea of what we could achieve if we could access 100 percent of our mind's capabilities taps my curiosity.

While "Lucy" is undeniably a work of dramatic fiction, it tackles this intriguing topic in an entertaining and thought-provoking way. The movie seamlessly blends action and science fiction, presenting a narrative that is as intellectually stimulating as it is thrilling. 

In conclusion, "Lucy" is a film that entertains and inspires contemplation about the future of human evolution and the mysteries of our brains. 

Its combination of a gripping storyline, strong performances, and profound themes makes it a movie that I love and recommend to anyone interested in the human mind's potential from a science fiction perspective, of course!

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