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New Book Tuesday: March 10th Edition 

My March watch list exploded. This isn't really a surprise, it's me we're talking about here. So to keep up with my reading goals and help you add to your TBR pile, Ro Recommends is now a permanent segment on I Talk Sh*t & Read. Welcome to New Book Tuesday: March 10th Edition.

Twice a month, I'll share my "must reads" from the month's new releases. First up are some fantasy picks that may just satisfy that jones you've got for sibling rivalry, arranged marriages gone awry, first love, revenge, or a dangerous quest...or two. 

Historical Fantasy: 

 

Reincarnation and Reimagining history make intriguing entry points into magical worlds and dangerous journeys with questionable guides.  

 

 

 

 

 

Young Adult Fantasy 

 

Fairytales and Mythology in an urban fantasy setting. Chupeco's world-building style takes a bit of getting used to, there's always more to learn but the journey's ended up being worth it in the past. 

Think you maybe up for discovering if a dethroned Prince can return magic and save his kingdom? 

 

 

 

High Fantasy 

 

Anne Bishop returns to the Black Jewel saga and doesn't miss a step. If you're already down this rabbit hole then the eleventh installment is certain to shake things up. I hit the highlights in my audio review but simply put Bishop found a new gear to shift into that promises interesting times ahead. 

 

 

 

 

Short on Time? How About an Anthology:

Synopsis: Filled with stories of love and betrayal, strength and resistance, this collection contains an array of complex and true-to-life characters in which you cannot help but see yourself reflected. Witches and scientists, sisters and lovers, priestesses and rebels: the heroines of A Phoenix First Must Burn shine brightly. You will never forget them.

Authors include: Elizabeth Acevedo, Amerie, Dhonielle Clayton, Jalissa Corrie, Somaiya Daud, Charlotte Davis, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Justina Ireland, Danny Lore, L.L. McKinney, Danielle Paige, Rebecca Roanhorse, Karen Strong, Ashley Woodfolk, and Ibi Zoboi.

Enough Said. 

 

 

If you like what you hear, click on a book cover to find an independent bookstore near you to purchase from. Shopping indie when you can may just keep someone's lights on.*

*this post contains affiliate links and some books were provided by publisher's in exchange for an honest assessment and/or review. 

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Onward is a Urban Fantasy Wonderland 

Two brothers who couldn't be more different must go on a quest to find a magical stone before their chance to see their father one last time is gone forever. Set in a suburban fantasy world that puts Bright to shame these two elves must band together and follow the clues if they're going to succeed. This time around Disney Pixar isn't trying to rip your heart out in the first five seconds. Instead, Onward establishes a world that can yield years worth of stories and then it starts yanking on those heartstrings. There are elves, centaurs, a spastic pet dragon and belligerent biker pixies that will having you dying for their backstory. 

What Would You Do For One Day With A Long-Departed Parent?

Onward has it's highs and lows. It doesn't always know what it wants you to focus on but it never forgets why the people in this world are important.  While it doesn't pack the punch of previous Pixar projects, there's something endearing about a coming of age story that recognizes that brotherly love and stumbling into adulthood is story worth watching. Ian (Tom Holland) and his older brother Barley (Chris Pratt) each come into their own and may just bring magic back into their world along the way. You'll laugh and shake your head at the outlandishness of it all. 

From beginning to end, "Disney" magic and the Pixar messaging never fight each other; and that mostly a good thing. Ro and Brandon have a spoiler-free chat in which B give the most triflin' synopsis ever; now's your chance to give it a listen. 

Rating:

PG (for action/peril and some mild thematic elements)

Genre:

Action & Adventure, Animation, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By:

Dan Scanlon

Runtime:

114 minutes

Studio:

Disney/Pixar

In Theaters:

Mar 6, 2020  Wide

 

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Did We Really Need Another Emma Adaptation?...

Emma, by Jane Austen, is a comedy about a young woman of the aristocracy with a penchant for matchmaking. This isn't the first time this stories been adapted for screen. But Emma. may just be the best one. Kept period correct, this costume drama infuses Austen's story about the clever Emma Woodhouse with wit, humor and a realness (that didn't required playing with the order of events) that's refreshingly grounded. 

As the highest ranking female, Emma's queen bee of her county town. She takes her role seriously and attempts to model class and elegance. But her ego and desire to mold the world to her will. Emma uses her social status to bring people together. Unfortunately, Emma's often short-sighted and misguided in what may be best for the people around her. But she's be successful often enough to be convinced her way is always best. So when she decided to take a young girl of "questionable" parentage under her wing and usher her into marriage her tactics and advice make a mess of things. 

If any of this is starting to sound familiar, you may recognize the premise from Alicia Silverstone's Clueless. Director Autumn de Wilde captures the freshness that made Clueless work without sacrificing what makes this story timeless. Emma. a fresh take on a classic that makes brilliant use of a ridiculously talented ensemble cast without any one person sucking up all the oxygen. 

We didn't need another Austen adaptation but if there must be one, Emma. certainly does it right. It's bright, ridiculous and delightfully romantic. Emma. stars Anya Taylor-Joy leading a top shelf ensemble including, Johnny Flynn, Bill Night, Mia Goth, Miranda Hart and Josh O'Connor. 

Wherein Kriss and Brandon Have Opinions...

The entire MTR crew caught a screening for this one. Listen in as they chop it up and discuss what kept them engaged in Emma. 

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We are back and we are not that excited.  This season has felt very disjointed.  The Doctor is acting out of character for this iteration.  The show has introduced storylines and left them on the cutting room floor, not providing any connective tissue.  While we enjoyed episode 8, to introduce interesting characters like The Eternals and then to immediately shelve them left a sour taste in our mouth. We are hoping that Chibnall can safely land the plane but we believe some stuff is going to be left out, resulting in a lackluster season.  

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Seriously what are we supposed to do with this show? It's almost pointless to review, not because it's bad but because it's so good and fun. This Caity Lotz directed episode was not only fun and silly (It's basically a John Woo tribute) but in typical Legends fashion, we've reached that part of the season where the real end game gets revealed. And as usual, it's not something we really saw coming. That's why we love this show so much. It can do silly things like put Genghis Khan on a scooter while also revealing that Charlie is one of the Three Fates. Add into the reveal of how Crisis has led to this new problem for the Legends and what's not to love about this show?

Kriss and Dpalm record the Mailbag at the end of every month. If you want to send in your own questions and thoughts, email us: [email protected]

 

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Since Crisis, The Flash has been so good. I mean it was good before but not it's been really good. We're really seeing how the fallout from Crisis is playing in this new world and how it's affecting Barry. It's allowing the writers and show to almost do a soft reboot. Characters that used to be friends are now enemies, enemies are now friends (maybe). We the audience get to go on the same journey that Barry is going on as he rediscovers his own city and the fallout. 

The other thing that's been really fun to watch is how the show is weaving in elements from the current Flash Rebirth run. As fans of that run, we get a bit nervous seeing how much Gorilla Grodd enjoyed the power of having the speed force running through him. Sure, he might be "reformed" now but you'll have to excuse us if we're not a bit skeptical.

And finally, is there a better feeling than hearing Thawne's theme kick in? Dawg we can't wait for Thawne to show up. 

Kriss and Dpalm record the Mailbag at the end of every month. If you want to send in your own questions and thoughts, email us: [email protected]

 

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Universal's Dark Universe never really got off the ground. They had big plans for a MCU-like cinematic universe that focused on all of the Universal Studios monsters and well, that was a disaster. So instead, we get Blumhouse taking something like The Invisible Man and grounding it and leaning on some everyday horrors. What would happen if you took an abusive and controlling man, made him invisible and allowed him to stalk and gaslight his former girlfriend? The answer is a fairly solid thriller that is less horror and sci-fi. 

The Invisible Man is far from perfect (Listen to our spoiler review in a couple of days) but overall it works. It's too long, has some missed opportunities story-wise and joins the long list of films that completely under-utilized Aldis Hodge. But despite all that, we highly recommend seeing this film

Stay tune for the spoiler review which will release on this page to premium members Saturday. 

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Mr. Mxyzptlk is back-although not as we remember him!  Tom Lennon in the role addresses the elephant in the room and takes Kara on a It's a Wonderful Life type adventure aimed to help her resolve her guilt about the loss of her relationship with Lena.  We love that the resolution came with Kara letting go of her guilt and reading Lena for filth.  We love Lena but this was a long time coming.  We also appreciate all the call back guest spots from Sam Witwer, Chris Wood, Chad Lowe, and Odette Annabelle in their former roles.  Finally, we appreciate that Mxyzptlk wasn't there with a bait and switch or to be evil-he genuinely wanted to help Kara.  Here's hoping we see him again. 

 

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Happy Black History Month everyone! This month Kriss is back with a new episode of the Insanity Check with guest Tim (@Peoplescrtic). As everyone knows Black History Month is always prime time for foolery and ridiculousness. And 2020 is no different. Because of that there is no Great Moments in White Privilege this month. Instead Kriss is saying "Happy Black History Month" with a few ridiculous tales about how sometimes it be your own people. From the black choir director who thought having an all white choir singing negro spirituals was a good idea to the black producer who thought it wise to hide the identity of a white rape victim by having her dress up with a curly fro and black face. And who could forget all the folks caping for Bloomberg? Now to be fair...for $2500 a month, you might could get some "Mike Will Get It Done" ads on the MTR Network.

Topics:

* Parasite wins big at the Oscars

* The dudebros made that Harley Quinn wasn't "sexy enough" in Birds of Prey

* Happy Black History Month

* White Michigan University Choir singing Negro Spirituals 

* Hiding a rape victims identity by making her dress in blackface is a bad idea

* Wakanda Forever! Harriet Tubman on a bank card cause why not?

* Patreon bringing creators pay day loans. What's the worse that can happen?

* The Nevada Debate

* Bloomberg offering $2500 a month for influencers to tweet nice things about him

* The Stop & Frisk candidate also used prison labor to make campaign phone calls

* Bernie knew that the Russians were helping his campaign for months but blames the media for making it public

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If there's one thing that is a fundamental truth its that John Constantine always brings pain and suffering everywhere he goes. Underneath all the silliness and ridiculousness, Legends still hits with some really hard and serious stuff. Getting more back ground on John, Astra and Natalie reveals just how many sins John really has. And moreso, how those sins have fucked everything up. It will be interesting seeing how this all plays out.

Kriss and Dpalm record the Mailbag at the end of every month. If you want to send in your own questions and thoughts, email us: [email protected]

 

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