TV Show: Armchair Detectives

           Here I am lying in bed as I am typing this. I am sick. I got the chills and fever yesterday. My throat is sore and it hurts, plus I developed a cold (clogged nose). I'm taking antibiotics today and paracetamol. I just finished watching Netflix's Irish Wish, it is a cute rom-com played by Lindsay Lohan. She is a popular American actress who played the lead in "Mean Girls" movie.

Anyway, checking my Amazon Prime. I bumped into this cool tv series, hosted by Susan Calman. It is called, "Armchair Detectives". Its a cool tv series because you get to solve the mystery of who is the culprit. I read that they based this on the "Cluedo," "Sleuth 101" and "Whodunit". I got hooked immediately and I tried solving it. I just had a hard time understanding what was being said because British English is quite different from American English, the way they pronounce and say sentences and words. British accent is more close with Australian accent. I am a lover of British culture and an Anglophile. Someday I wish to visit the birth place of Jane Austen and Agatha Christie, my favorite writers. 

If you enjoy mystery/crime tv shows and series, you better check this out, and let yourself be involved in solving the mystery! 

Movie Review: See How They Run

        I just finished watching this movie today.

This movie mentions our favorite queen of mystery writer, Agatha Christie's long-running play, The Mousetrap. This is available on Disney channel, Philippines.

Spoilers ahead! So the movie is about this director who got killed while in a celebratory party for the musical play, The Mousetrap. In the movie there was a plan of making it in a film. Enter these two inspector from the Scotland Yard, a young rookie one, Constable Stalker and senior Inspector Stoppard. 

I kinda find this movie dragging. I started watching this weeks ago and its only now that I have finished it. I learned that this was based upon two young boys who were maltreated by their foster parents and one of that boy died (real life person named, + Dennis O' Neill) due to physical abuse. I have not seen or read this play. The Three Blind Mice is the novel form, and The Mousetrap is the play script of it. I also didn't like their portrayal of Agatha Christie. Well, this is my opinion only, we are all entitled to our own opinion right?! If you have not seen the movie try watching and write me a comment of your thoughts about it. Okay?!

TV Series: Only Murders in the Building

            I am currently subscribed to Disney channel in my cellphone application. I have decided to subscribe because, "See How They Run," is the movie adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel, "The Mousetrap." 

I have read that, "The Mousetrap" is the world's longest running play. So I am itching again to have a copy of her book. This Disney tv series stars, Pop Princess and former tv series princess, Selena Gomez and tv movie and veteran actors Martin Short and Steve Martin. In Season 3, Meryl Streep was included in the cast. In less than one week I have finished this tv series and I absolutely love it. Even if crime and murder is really scary, I was not really scared at all. What I felt in this movie is like a cozy feeling at home. Watching the trio solve a crime and just being best pals with each other gave me comfort, and I must say this tv series is one happy pill for me! I love Steve Martin's portrayal of a "has been" action tv series star, as Charles Haden Savage, and Martin Short as Oliver, a former director of theater plays and lastly Selena plays the Mabel, the mysterious beautiful neighbor (in Season 1). This was set in a beautiful building called the Arconia in New York.

Spoilers coming! Season 1 is about the trio uncovering the murder Tim Kono, a tenant in the Arconia. Season 2 is about Mabel being suspected as the killer of Bunny, the building president and Season 3, who is the killer of the lead star in Oliver's directorial play again. If you have not seen the series I suggest you do! It is so funnily entertaining! Can' t wait for season 4. The double of Charles Haden Savage was shot.

The Real Life of Agatha Christie

         

  I'm back with another Agatha Christie book. This time it is an illustrated one. On the back page of the book. Ms. Christie was described by the following words, novelist, wife, nurse, tourist, mother, archaeologist, playwright and dame. Dame is the honorary title given to her. The price of this illustrated or I would like to call it as a comic book is $19.95 as shown at the back cover. 

The authors of the book is a trio. If I am not mistaken, they are all French. I like the illustration, the way it was drawn like a classic cartoon from a Sunday newspaper. Check out the photo here. If reading her biography is too taxing for you then I suggest you grab a copy of this. This may not be as comprehensive as the one written by Lucy Worsley but you can pick up some idea about her life is. This book is also an ideal gift to give to an avid Agatha Christie fan. Books became even more interesting because of her. Don't forget that she is the most widely read mystery author for many years now and as the same popularity with Shakespeare and the Bible! 

Another Agatha Christie Book

 I got another book by Ms. Agatha Christie, it is February now and the Holiday season is still faraway, but I got this book! Actually, I have not read "The Secret Adversary," and I still bought another book. I still have one more book that I am waiting for. Mystery novels are really good. This kind of read really makes your day less boring. I'm happily adding this to my AC (Agatha Christie) book collection! Read on!

More Agatha Christie Books

            

 I have seen the Wonka movie that was shown December 2023. It was entertaining indeed. So I got hooked into it for awhile. I suddenly missed my mystery and crime side. Again, I bought two books. I got a bargain, "The Secret Adversary," from Agatha Christie collection. It is a hard bound copy with a magazine. This book was very timely since the group of "Read Christie Challenge 2024", this is their book of the month.  The people of Agatha Christie Ltd suggested that challenge. I asked the team if they can send me a photo with a handwritten signature of Agatha Christie's grandson. They were not able to grant my request but instead they said that they just can send me postcards.I am eagerly awaiting it. 

I also bought the life story of Agatha Christie by British Historian Lucy Worsley. Both books are expensive but I know its worth it. Even if the period when she wrote these stories are really far from the modern world today, I still love the feeling that it gives me. I got this one from my favorite bookstore, Fully Booked. So that's all for now, while I relax and continue reading one of Ms. Christie's book, while having my cup of tea.

Happy Holidays With Willy Wonka

          Christmas has passed once again but still we are on a holiday vacation mode. After getting hooked with the cartoon character SpongeBob now I am back as a fan of Willy Wonka. Wonka's character and the story was memorable for me because I remember seeing the classic film on tv, the one starring Gene Wilder. It's really very hard to get Willy Wonka's themed items now.  I'm fortunate because Converse launched their limited edition bag and shoes. I was able to grab a Willy Wonka bag and I matched it also with my new Keds shoes that is similar with its color. December is the best month for me not only its Christmas, the birth of our Lord Jesus, St. Nicholas as Santa Claus and of course its I and my husband birth month. So December is always favorite month.

This December I was able to buy Wonka related items online from toy figures like Funko Pop and Soda, books and chocolate related things. Why chocolate? Because Willy Wonka is the best chocolate maker out there! So burgundy will be my new favorite color. The movie Wonka which was shown this December starring Timothee Chalamet's costume is in that color. But of course Johnny Depp's Wonka and Gene Wilder's portrayal is also close to my heart. I once cosplayed as Wonka in our office 2011, imitating Depp's Willy Wonka version. I think really this time I have found the character that I will like constantly and no more obsession with other tv or cartoon character. Is just Willy Wonka will be my happy pill for a long time! Cheers!

The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!

                   I enjoy watching musicals. During my highschool years, our school let us watch a musical about popular Filipino folktales. During my college days for our English project our class produced a musical, Joseph the Dreamer, I played as the Pharaoh here. I still remember a few of my lines. As an adult I had the chance to watch a real play at Solaire Resort, The Phantom of the Opera which I really enjoyed. 

I just finished watching The SpongeBob Musical (tv special) today. When I started watching it last week, I find it not that interesting because SpongeBob was a human here and not a sponge. The actor who played SpongeBob is Ethan Slayer. Danny Skinner played the role of Patrick Star, Lilli Cooper played the role of Sandy Cheeks, Nick Blemire played the role of Plankton, Stephanie Hsu played the role of Karen Plankton,  Carlos Lopez played the role of Eugene Krabs,  Emmy Raver-Lampman played the role of Mr. Krabs daughter, Pearl, Jason Michael Snow as Patchy the Pirate, Gaelen Gilliland as The Mayor, Kelvin Moon Loh as the reporter Perch Perkins, Abby Smith as Mrs. Puff,  Mark Ledbetter as Old Man Jenkins, Allan Washington as Larry the Lobster, Curtis Holbrook, L'ogan J'ones and JC Schuste as the rock band The Electric Skates, Oneika Philips, John Rua, Lauralun McClelland, Robert Taylor Jr. as the Sardine Corps and of course, my most favorite character in SpongeBob SquarePants cartoons and also here in this musical is Squidward Tentacles, played by Gavin Lee. His costume here is amazing as a human he has an extra set of legs. He also has a nice hair color sort of blue green. Tom Kenny voiced (pre-recorded) Gary the Snail. 

Spoilers here, I just want to say better watch out for the performance of Squidward here. It is one of the highlights of the musical for a fan like me. I so love his costumes. I really can see myself in his character that's why I like Squidward. So on point! I included in this post a screen shot of his performance. You better see this tv musical special if you are really a true SpongeBobians/SquarePantisan. I also like one of the songs from the musical, entitled Bikini Bottom day. So if you have not seen this, you better watch it now! 

Mcdonald's Happy Meal Malaysia SpongeBob SquarePants

           Now, I am going loco over SpongeBob SquarePants. Oh! Pardon me! I am so late in appreciating this cartoon that is aired by Nickelodeon. 

This week I received my Mcdonald's SpongeBob SquarePants toy that I ordered online and it came from Malaysia. The selling price is also expensive. I posted it on my Tik Tok account and YouTube. The toy was well crafted. My toy is Squidward and his Tiki house. There are stickers included and cardboard with design that you can put on the toy. Instructions are of course included. The toy costs approximately around $5. It is already expensive. Anyway, since this was launched already in 2021 and it is hard to find nowadays. 

Why do I like Squidward Tentacles? Because I can see part of my personality in his character shown in the cartoons. He is interested in arts and music like me. He plays the clarinet and paints. He is also serious and grumpy like me! So I was really amused when I find out about his personality. I plan to collect all the 10 character sets even if its a pricey. Life is short we should be happy in any way as long as we are not hurting or taking advantage of someone. There are many ways to be happy just like what SpongeBob says, "Use your imagination!"

SpongeBob SquarePants SpongeBobian/SquarePantisan

          Hi y'all! It has been a hectic week! I am still here at the office waiting for my hubby to wrap up his work. I'm done for the day we processed a lot of new cases today! Thank God we finished a bit on time. Anyway, this month of October is really special for me, I mean for my husband and I, since this is the month that we got married in one of the oldest and grandest church in Manila, Manila Cathedral (Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception). 

Anyway, this month I have decided that this will be dedicated to SpongeBob SquarePants. Yes! After going loco over Peanuts and Snoopy in 2017 now in the year 2023 maybe this will also be my last obsession over a cartoon character. 

I admit when I saw SpongeBob showing on TV before I was not hooked immediately. I am not a lover of water because I do not know how to swim. But when I re-watched SpongeBob: Out of Water movie I really appreciated it. Watching SpongeBob is a stress reliever for me and a way to escape the life's harsh reality. You can see from the photo that I shared here, this is just a bit of all the SpongeBob related things that I bought this month. My most favorite is the collaboration between Vans and SpongeBob. They launched the collaboration in 2021. I already have a cartoon themed sneakers before. In 2017, I also bought Vans sneakers because they featured Peanuts by Charles Schulz. I also love the customized t-shirts, pajamas, tote bag, comics (according to the seller, the comics is rare here in the Philippines) etc. I cannot find a nice flask with a SpongeBob design so I just customized my 14oz AquaFlask with a waterproof sticker of SpongeBob peeking. But the best ever aside from the sneakers is the collaboration of Careline, a local cosmetic brand. They launched SpongeBob collection of blushes with the corresponding SpongeBob characters. 

I love all the characters in SpongeBob, but I like Squidward Tentacles (because our personality is alike) the best and Patrick is also funny! Why do I like SpongeBob the best? Because he has a sunshiny personality and he is full of optimism. Even if he fails, he does not easily give up. Even if he has the most menial job, he put his 100% on it. He is the best fry cook at Krusty Krab Burger, that's why they always have a lot of patrons.