I'm Off

Well readers, the post-holiday winter blues have struck me and the plushies, so we will not update next week. Instead, we are going on vacation to relax, refocus, and prepare for future blogs. Until next time, then.

We're off!

Creepy Creatures

 
Creepy Creatures produced by National Geographic Videos.

Plot: A documentary on the creepiest creatures to walk the earth. Narrated by a black cat, the show displays some of the most unsettling animals and plants in nature. Many, including the sundew plant and black widow spider, trap their prey with sticky buds or webs. Others take a more active approach, such as the venomous cobra and clawed aye-aye. Some animals, seeking to provide for their young, pursue the dead as their victims, filling a morbid, but necessary, part of nature. With appropriately eerie music and choir songs, the documentary celebrates the gross, unnerving, and scary aspects of the natural world.

Genre: Animals, Documentary, Horror

Reading Level: Not Rated; but some footage, such as the cobra eating the rat, is not suitable for more sensitive viewers.

Similar Titles: Animal Atlas: Creepy Creatures, The Magic School Bus: Creepy, Crawly Fun!

Personal Thoughts: The age in this video shows, although not in the footage. Instead, the manner of presentation changed over the past decade or so. Most current documentaries show creepy creatures, but immediately extoll on their positive virtues or reveal their conservation situations. The change is for the better, since it encourages viewers to accept the strange creatures filling the earth as more than just creepy things. However, sometimes users need to enjoy creepy for creepiness's sake without a heavy environmentalist tone, and this video provides an excellent opportunity to do so.

Nature: Window to the Sea

Nature: Window to the Sea produced by PBS.

Plot: The show documents the change in American aquariums' focus throughout the years. Originally, the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago offered the opportunity to show off the city's wealth. The New England Aquarium attempted to expose artistic vision by breaking away from the display cases of traditional aquariums through state-of-the-art exhibits. Eventually, both of the organizations focused on exposing inland Americans to the animals, environments, and issues of the sea. Following the collapse of the local fishing industry, the Monterey Bay Aquarium offered stimulation to the busted economy. It also provided a major education opportunity, giving a major research institution to marine biologists. Conservation became a growing concern among aquariums, and the Wakiki Aquarium lead the way in coral, giant clam, and monk seal protection and propagation. Aquariums have changed from a means of displaying wealth to an opportunity to protect the ocean.

Genre: History, Animals, Documentary

Reading Level: Not Rated, but family-friendly.

Similar Titles: Oceans in Glass: Behind the Scenes of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Blue Planet

Personal Thoughts: A well-planned documentary linking historical, social, and environmental issues. Many modern visitors assume all aquariums, as well as zoos and nature parks, began with conservation in mind. However, many started for economical or social reasons. Yet, just because they began with less-than altruistic intentions does not mean they fail to have a positive impact on their guests or their animals. A highly recommended documentary for ocean enthusiasts and future marine biologists.

How Stuff Works: Salt

 
How Stuff Works: Salt produced by Discovery.

Plot: Most people know salt as the white, grainy substance in a shaker. However, salt remains the key for some of the most important, expensive, efficient, and dangerous discoveries, situations, and products known to humanity. As the only rock necessary for a healthy diet, salt allows humans to function. It also causes major health and development problems. To get salt, humans spend enormous amounts of resources and effort. Evaporation and mining provide salt, but also create vital wildlife sanctuaries and safe storage spaces. Salt may even provide an answer to the growing energy crisis, since it will combust when exposed to high radio frequencies. Humble salt, while often ignored, allows humans to exist.

Genre: Documentary, Science

Reading Level: Not Rated; while some episodes of the series focus on items like alcohol, this particular episode does not contain such references.

Similar Titles: Modern Marvels, How Stuff Works

Personal Thoughts: The episode runs like an updated version of the Eyewitness videos. It offers rapid "bits" of information in a fast-paced, graphics-heavy manner. While it does not contain the elaborate computer illustrations of the Eyewitness episodes, the information is more complete and the show is twice as long. Apparently, the show's series also focuses on other food items, such as corn and coffee, as well as other materials such as copper, lead, water, and rubber. The series offers an in-depth look at items often dismissed as mundane.

Life

Life produced by BBC.

Plot: Following the success of Planet Earth, the series observes the major groups of animal life on the planet through the use of artful filming, exotic locations, and professional narration. The four-disk series contains episodes on insects, reptiles & amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, primates, and conservation issues.

Genre: Animals, Documentary

Reading Level: Not Rated, but some hunting scenes may be intense for sensitive viewers.

Similar Titles: Life, Mammals, Nature's Most Amazing Events

Personal Thoughts: Two versions of the series exist. The one I watched was narrated by Oprah Winfrey and seems very youth-focused. However, many viewers prefer the original version with David Attenborough, citing the more experienced narrator and professional script as a better format. The version I saw tones down biological terms and situations, preventing the seriousness of the science from making a dramatic impact, so the preference is understandable.

On a more personal note, the focus on mammals becomes annoying quickly. For a series claiming to focus on Earth's lifeforms, half of the episodes focus exclusively on mammals. While mammals are interesting (and marketable), they are a very poor representation of biology. Insects and fish offer more variations of life than mammals, so they provide a better picture of what life requires. Similarly, amphibians and reptiles are different enough to merit their own episodes. A few major groups of animals, such as crabs, spiders, and mollusks, fail to receive any notice at all. A series claiming to focus on all life-forms should avoid such bias.

Documentaries next week

The blog will attempt to bring more serious topics into consideration by reviewing documentaries next week.

Happy Lizard is excited about documentaries!

 

Like I said, it is an attempt.

Ponyo

 
Ponyo distributed by Disney.

Plot: After she manages to escape from her overbearing father, a little goldfish girl finds herself rescued by a four-year-old boy. The boy, named Soske, is enchanted by the little red fish with a girl's face, and names her Ponyo. Promising to love her, Soske and Ponyo seem like perfect friends...until the sea reclaims Ponyo. Determined to return to the little boy, Ponyo taps into depths of magic her father never dreamed of. She manages to find Soske and transforms into a girl to stay with him and his mother, but her determination tears the fabric of reality. She and Soske must conquer the sea goddess's challenge to return the world's balance and stay with each other.

Genre: Animation, Movie, Fantasy, Anime

Reading Level: Rated G

Similar Titles: Charlotte's Web, My Neighbor Totoro

Personal Thoughts: While the movie is based on Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid, it has a much lighter feel and sweeter ending than the original. While the movie does hint at deeper meaning beyond the plot, it uses the hints to maintain a feeling of mystery coupled with a desire to explore, much like My Neighbor Totoro. Also, the animators attempted to avoid relying on computer graphics, allowing the simplicity of the character design to give the movie a story-book quality often missing in animation. A good movie for a lazy day.

Esio Trot

Dahl, Ronald. Esio Trot. New York : Viking, 1990.

Plot: Old, retired Mr. Hoppy loves two things: his flower-covered patio and his neighbor, Mrs. Silver. The widow remains ignorant of his affection, though she does love her pet tortoise, Alfie. Unfortunately, Alfie does not seem to grow, much to his mistress's distress. Realizing his chance to gain her affections and become her hero, Mr. Hoppy offers her a foolproof plan to make Alfie grow quickly. He gives her some words to encourage Alfie to increase in size, but, unbeknownst to her, continues his plot with the help of a tortoise-grabber, a canvas sheet, and one hundred forty tortoises.

Genre: Animals, Humor, Unexpected Heroes

Reading Level: Grades 4-7

Similar Titles: Miss Daisy is Crazy!, The Invisible Moose, The BFG

Personal Thoughts: A somewhat unusual novel for Dahl, the story examines a man's quest to become a hero in his beloved's eyes. Like many of Dahl's protagonists, though, Mr. Hoppy can only succeed through the use of his wits and his kindly nature. The story is simple, sweet, and cleverly written, providing an excellent light read.

Mercy Watson to the Rescue

DiCamillo, Mercy. Mercy Watson to the Rescue. Cambridge, MA : Candlewick Press, 2005.

Plot: Mr. and Mrs. Watson adore Mercy, their pet pig. Mercy, in turn, loves them, especially when they sing her a lullaby before she goes to sleep. After the song, though, she gets scared of the dark. Determined to get a good night's sleep, she sneaks into the Watsons' bed. Unfortunately, the bed cannot hold their collective weight. Mr. and Mrs. Watson get stuck in the collapsing bed, keeping Mercy from enjoying her breakfast. Determined to get a snack, she journey's to the neighbors' house. Yet, her mission to get something to eat may be exactly what the Watsons need to escape.

Genre: Animals, Humor

Reading Level: Grades 4-7

Similar Titles: Ivy and Bean, Little Horse, Mercy Watson series

Personal Thoughts: Unlike much of DiCamillo's writing, the book is satisfied with being a simple story without deeper reflections on relationships. Like most of her writing, though, the characters are both humorous and over-the-top. The series also plays with the ideas of perception versus reality, particularly regarding the reasoning for Mercy's supposed rescue.

Alcatraz versus the Shattered Lens

Sanderson, Brandon. Alcatraz versus the Shattered Lens. New York : Scholastic Press, 2010.

Plot: Alcatraz's shock at his father's abrupt and unscheduled exit leaves him confused and frustrated, but he does not have the luxury of considering it. Tuki Tuki is under attack by an army of evil Librarians, but no other nation seems willing to help. Determined to spare the country, Alcatraz escapes, hoping to lure the power of the knights to the battered country. Yet, the knights seem reluctant to mobilize. Alcatraz must take the place of the fallen king, armed only with his talent for breaking things, quick wit, luck, and friends' advice. Can the country last? Will the talent assist more than cripple? Why do the librarians press their attack? How does the war relate to his father's journey? Will he fulfill the prophecy of the cheese sandwich? 

Genre: Humor, Fantasy

Reading Level: Grades 4-7

Similar Titles: Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians, The Legend of Spud Murphy

Personal Thoughts: If Lewis Carroll and J.R.R. Tolkien wrote a book together, it would be much like this one. The high stakes, unexpected heroes, and mythical powers of fantasy collide with goofy chases, airplanes shaped like butterflies, and koala-flavored ice cream. Brandon peppers his novel with parodies of popular writing techniques, clichés, and fantasy elements. For example, during one notable scene, Alcatraz plans to simply sneak into a guarded city under the cover of night. When his companions complain about the plan, he offers an addendum. They will sneak into the city under the cover of night while quoting Hamlet. They do, and hijinks ensue.

One minor complaint. The novel ends on a severe cliffhanger. However, the author only signed a contract for four novels. He may be trying to force the publisher to offer him an additional contract, or he may just wish to leave with an open ending. Either way, it is frustrating for the readers. Frustrating enough to encourage a reader, say, a potential librarian, consider the dark side...

Side note: I may or may not have actually received the maternal unit's permission to use her glasses for the picture.

Moving on...

Next week, I will review items that a just silly, since everyone needs something a little offbeat every once in a while.

Yipeee!!!

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic produced by the Hub.

Plot: The series follows the adventures of Twilight Sparkle, a smart but socially awkward unicorn, as she learns to make friends in Ponyville. Most episodes include her five best friends: Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack. Each pony displays a particular gift and impediment regarding friendship. For example, Fluttershy is kind, but painfully shy and non-confrontational, so she must learn to maintain her gentleness without becoming a doormat. Throughout the episodes, the six ponies experience the ups and downs of working with each other in a magical, brightly-colored world.

Genre: Cartoon

Reading Level: Rated TV Y

Similar Titles: The Powerpuff Girls; Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends 

Personal Thoughts: The remake of an older show has proven very successful for a number of reasons. The cast is reduced, allowing character development to take precedence over toy advertisements. Each character maintains a distinct personality, allowing viewers to pick and follow favorites. Additionally, the stories contain jokes pleasing to adults without being necessarily aimed at them exclusively (a la Shrek) so the episodes remain enjoyable without becoming exclusive.  The series remains generally wholesome without being too sappy. Some episodes do become slightly overhanded in the message, but the overall presentation of the series allows viewers to enjoy a genuinely uncynical, fun show.

Top Gear: Botswana Special

Top Gear: Botswana Special produced by the BBC.

Plot: Jeramey, James, and Richard are told to buy a used car in Botswana by the studio. They are only told that their cars must not be suitable for off roading. Once they arrive, the trio discovers they must drive across the nation of Botswana in previously-owned cars of questionably merit. An enormous salt desert, wild animals, and constant breakdowns complicate their journey. However, if they fail to maintain their cars, they will still complete the trip...in an old Voltswagon Beetle.

Genre: Cars, Documentary

Reading Level: Not rated, but probably around a G for some language and peril.

Similar Titles: Top Gear: Viet Nam Special, Ice Road Truckers

Personal Thoughts: Due to some of the comments and challenges, particularly those involving African Stig, this show would never be produced in the United States. That said, the program does provide solid entertainment and surprisingly deep moments. A good choice for car fanciers and car know-nothings.

Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast

McKinley, Robin. Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast. New York : Harper & Row, 1978.

Plot: Beauty hates her nickname, since she does not live up to its expectations with her stooped back, spotted face, and big feet. However, her looks become the least of her concerns when disaster strikes her family. Her father looses his fortune and her sister looses her fiancee. Forced into the country to begin again, her family manages to survive and eventually find comfort in their situation. Calamity looms again when her father is confronted by a vengeful beast. To save him, Beauty offers herself in her father's stead. Despite her courage, she cannot decipher the mystery of the enormous beast or his rich castle. Yet, she must, for reasons she cannot bring herself to understand.

Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tales

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: Outlaws of Sherwood, Rapunzel

Personal Thoughts: A classy retelling of a classic story. The characters fit more into modern archtypes, but still maintain the expectations and social obligations of the novel's setting. A comfortable read on a cold day.

Warcraft Legends: Volume 2

Lewter, Troy. Warcraft Legends: Volume 3. Los Angeles, Calif. : Tokyopop, 2009.

Plot: A manga-style comic collection based on the popular online game, World of Warcraft. This volume begins with the continuing saga of a cursed Tauren seeking redemption and discovering courage from an unlikely source. Two sisters must also discover courage and purpose when they discover their secret past. The collection takes a comedic turn when a smart but stubborn Tauren begins a quest she can only complete with the assistance of a fiery (but still tiny) gnome. Finally, a disillusioned Orc must decide between assisting a weak orphan or following his powerful brother in an unending war.

Genre: Video Games, Manga

Reading Level: Rated T for violence and language

Similar Titles: Starcraft: Frontlines; Warcraft: Shaman

Personal Thoughts: Readers will most likely absolutely hate or absolutely love the series. Despite following the traditional manga style, this collection was designed, written, and illustrated in the United States. Some diehard observers of the genre have very strong feelings against such items. In addition, many of the stories end on a "downer," so do not recommend the title to someone seeking a collection of happy endings. Still, the characters follow their in-game counterparts accurately. Also, the illustrations are creative, action-oriented, and attractive. Fans of the game will likely approve of the manga, but it may not be suitable for everyone.

What I did over Christmas break...

...besides conducting unholy cloning experiments.

All joking aside, I will review tween-appropriate items I read or watched over the past few weeks.