This take on the fairy tale classic is directed by Kenneth Branagh, with Cate Blanchett as the evil stepmother. Although there have been so many versions of Cinderella out there, this additional Disney-produced film is still wonderful. I like fairy tales in general. I’ve read practically all of them, including those retold in various ways from different countries. They do say something about our human nature, the universal need to romanticize a good story, and — at least for a little while — escape from reality. Continue reading
writing
Ode to Pizza
You take-a piz-za my heart,
You fill me like no other.
Get thee to my plate;
Your aroma makes me swoon!
I am ready to cut you apart;
I cannot share you with another
Even if I inflate
As big as a hot air balloon!
What makes you so hot?
Sweet onions galore,
Dough kneaded just right,
Sausage and three kinds of cheeses!
©2015 Karina Pinella
Furious7 (a movie review)
Call me Johnny-Come-Lately, but it’s better now than never. I finally watched the movie that’s been a blockbuster since it came out but I took my time. When something gets talked up a lot, I feel as if I’ve already seen the movie. This seventh sequel to a movie franchise that started 14 years ago is the best compared to the others, but also the saddest since we know what happened to Paul Walker–he died from a car accident during the filming of this movie, which is well-edited and produced. Renowned horror film director, James Wan, directs this movie and he succeeds in making your pulse race, as well as creating a beautiful ending that pays tribute to Walker. Continue reading
Silent Creed by Alex Kava (a book review)
This is the second installment of a new book series that features Ryder Creed, a former dog handler for the K9 Unit in the Marines. He was traumatized from the war in Afghanistan, almost taking his life, but is saved by Hannah Washington, a single mother with two sons. She helps him see his natural talent in handling dogs. Together they open a search-dog business called “K9 CrimeScents.” Hannah handles the business part, while Creed does the fieldwork. Their dogs are mostly those that have been cast aside and that Creed has trained. They offer their services to the public, the police, and the local and federal government. Continue reading
Bless Bless (a six-word story)
Hold my thoughts, if not me.
*In Iceland, they say “bless bless” when they say good-bye. The picture above is of the Black Sand Beach in Vik, Iceland.
©2015 Karina Pinella
Out of the Dark (a movie review)
This is a haunting tale about an American couple with a five-year-old daughter who becomes mysteriously ill. The movie begins with the family driving through a small Colombian town to visit with the wife’s father, who has a long-established paper mill business there. The father, played by Stephen Rea, suddenly needs help running the business, so his daughter, played by Julia Stiles, takes her husband (played by Scott Speedman) and their daughter abroad to help out. Not too long after they settle into a large country estate owned by the father, strange things start happening, beginning with their daughter who gets into a little accident and then becomes sick. Meanwhile, deformed looking children dart here and there during the night as the parents hear strange noises. The film is a “ghoul movie” because ghoulish looking children will suddenly pop up during creepy moments. It is somewhat reminiscent of the horror movie, The Ring.
At the end of the story, just before all the credits, there is reference to a site that invites you to learn more about real-life hauntings: takepart.com. Going to this site before watching the movie might be a spoiler, but do check it out.
Eaten Alive
They say the alley buzzes with flesh-eating flies. What nonsense, Hugo thinks, as he jogs by the narrow passage that stinks like someone used it as a public privy. He looks around to see if there are homeless people or a passed out drunk lurking about, but the area seems deserted. Although the sky was clear when he started out his early morning jog, a cloud appears to hover above. He shrugs and sprints. A few blocks down, his curiosity gets the better of him, so he retraces his steps. Still jogging in place, he peers through the alley and sees nothing unusual. Just an alley, for heavens’ sake. What the hell . . . Continue reading
A Collage of Falls
Iceland has nearly 40,0000 waterfalls. The waterfalls featured here:
Seljalandsfoss – you can walk around this waterfall
Skógafoss – the one with the rainbow in front of it
Gullfoss – the largest waterfall in Europe
Öxarárfoss – the small waterfall in Thingvellir National Park
©2015 Karina Pinella
Hot Pursuit (a movie review)
This is one of those movies that is funny in some places, while not in most. Definitely not one of Reese Witherspoon’s better movies. She plays an earnest cop who becomes involved in transporting a key federal witness, played by Sofia Vergara, to safety. It’s your typical “partner movie” in which the two women distrust each other. Eventually, they bond and then become fond of each other during their attempt to run for safety and justice. It’s more a showcase of how good they both look than about the plot, which is predictable, but I won’t spoil any more of it. It’s a chase movie, hence called “Hot Pursuit.”
Strokkur and Litli Geysir*
Strokkur gushes so majestically and the Litli Geysir squirts
©2015 Karina Pinella
Karina Pinella 
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