A Dragon for William★★★★★
Julie Czerneda A welcome return to the world of A Turn of Light (though shorter!)
Beauty and the Beast (2010 Tour)★★★☆☆
San Diego, 2012 The simpler staging & costumes work well enough, but the big numbers suffer from the smaller cast.
Beauty and the Beast (3D Theatricals)★★★★★
Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 2016 An elaborate production by a local company with great performances from the leads, and a surprise understudy.
Chivalry★★★★★
Neil Gaiman and Colleen Doran Beautifully drawn and illustrated, a charming tale of Arthurian legend brought into modern times.
Doctor Strange★★★★☆Surrealism is the best part. Creative use of Escher gravity, portals, astral projection, time manipulation, incredibly detailed alterations to reality, and effects that make it all look incredible.
Down Among the Sticks and Bones★★★★★
Seanan McGuire Creepy tale of twins transported to a world out of 1930s monster movies. Hangs together better than the first book.
Edward Scissorhands★★★★☆The film still holds up: the fairy tale music, the contrast between 'normal' suburbia and Edward's home, and the tension between appearances and heart.
Every Heart a Doorway★★★★☆
Seanan McGuire A fast read with an intriguing concept that reverses multiple YA fantasy tropes.
Might and Magic IXIt's interesting and immersive, but some of the game and UI design choices make it really frustrating.
Norse Mythology★★★★☆
Neil Gaiman Entertaining, sometimes gruesome, sometimes funny and sometimes sad collection of stories about Odin, Thor, Loki and the other gods of Asgard.
Stardust (Movie)★★★★★Light-hearted fantasy adventure built around a love story, Stardust takes itself *just* a touch more seriously than The Princess Bride. Enjoyable on its own, and stays true to the heart of the book.
The Bard’s Tale (reboot)★★★☆☆While I liked the attitude and metatextual humor, it was annoyingly linear when compared to the original series.
The Bard’s Tale IV★★★★☆This is the game Might and Magic IX wanted to be. A classic party-based quest in an immersively detailed world. Only, you know, playable. Plus amazing music!
The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time Book 12)
Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson Events move rapidly toward the apocalypse foretold in book one, and Sanderson shows he was a good choice to finish Jordan's series.
Xanadu (Stage Musical)★☆☆☆☆
Segerstrom Center, 2009 The stage musical of Xanadu is a silly, self-aware parody that revels in its camp. I really liked about 10% of it. The rest, not so much.