fun

Hoppers – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2026 film Hoppers.

Story

The first three quarters of the movie felt a lot like an older environmental movie (Fern Gully etc.) but the last part added a lot to the message and was something I hadn’t seen before.

Score: 1

Characters

Everyone does a great job acting and the characters are good. I found the main character acted younger than her age and the maniacal Titus was a little on the nose.

Score: 0.5

Dialogue

There’s a lot of great quotes and a lot of resonating messages. The kindness and love shown by George is wonderful and refreshing.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The animation is stunning and the use of the camera is excellent. I really appreciate the characters’ changes depending on who is perceiving them.

Score: 1

Fun

There are some laugh out loud moments and lots of good stuff in this movie. The kids loved it and so did the adults.

Score: 1

Overall

Another excellent story from Pixar that will make you laugh and cry in turn. The message of co-operation and seeing the best in people is deeply needed in today’s world.

Final Score: 4.5 Stars out of 5

The Curious Case of Dolphin Bay – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2022 film The Curious Case of Dolphin Bay.

Story

This felt like a middle grade book from the early nineties. The twists of the mystery are simple but satisfying and the overall ecological message is solid. It’s definitely aimed at a younger audience.

Score: 1

Characters

I liked the characters on their own and when they got along but the fighting between the girls was frustrating. One of those, “Just talk to each other!” type of things.

The villain was well hidden and a lot of the secondary characters were very likeable.

Score: 0.5

Dialogue

Some of the dialogue was very young but overall it was okay.

Score: 0.5

Visuals and Music

The setting was spectacular and it elevated everything. The camera work was solid and the use of shadows was great.

The music was kinda bland but still did it’s job

Score: 0.5

Fun

The whole family liked it and we’ll probably watch it again. Loved the queer representation and acceptance.

Score: 1

Overall

A solid middle grade story with plenty of beautiful scenery and good acting to make it worth everyones while.

Final Score: 3.5 Stars out of 5

A Study in Aether Re-Release Cover

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Hello Readers!

Earlier this year, I regained the rights to the Elizabeth Investigates Series and the fine folks at River City Siren Press have agreed to re-publish them.

A Study in Aether will be coming out soon and we were lucky enough to get the amazing Pinkpiggy93 to do the new cover.

I’ll let you know when it’s available and I have to say I’m really excited about this cover.

What do you think?

Éric

The Carmilla Movie – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2017 film The Carmilla Movie.

Story

A sequel to the 3.5 seasons of the web show Carmilla. It does a good job of recapping what happened, but it’s quick. I think someone who hasn’t watched the show would be confused.

The story itself is interesting and really uses the locations well. It felt like a shorter version of the show.

Score: 1

Characters

The characters, even after five years, acted the same and retained the character growth from the show. The new characters were nice but didn’t have much screen time.

Score: 1

Dialogue

The dialogue was flippant and irreverent, just like the show. I particularly appreciated the sound mixing since I didn’t have subtitles.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The visuals were obviously a large improvement from a webcam-based story and were well thought out. The locations, particularly the manor house, were beautiful.

The music was okay but felt lacking at some points.

Score: 0.5

Fun

This really is a love letter to the fans and I enjoyed every moment of it.

Score: 1

Overall

The movie is a lot of fun for those that already have a nostalgic love of the show. If you haven’t watched it, you won’t get as much out of the movie. (Go watch the show.)

Final Score: 4.5 Stars out of 5

March Break

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Hello Friends, Family, and fans;

I had a nice March break. My body finally gave in to the kids’ cold. I was sick the whole week but I got lots of snuggles and lots of time with the kids. We watched almost an entire season of Leverage, read, played video games, and rested.

Do I feel more rested after? No! Do I feel better than before? Also no! Do I feel like I accomplished a lot? Hell no!

But I do feel grateful for my awesome family. I’m just hoping this cold leaves me soon. I hate being stuffy and having trouble thinking.

Stay safe and be kind,

Éric

The Princess Diaries – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2001 film The Princess Diaries.

Story

This was an interesting take on the My Fair Lady trope but without the bet. I like that the love interest is secondary but the angst and teen drama is still just as cringy as it was two decades ago.

Score: 0.5

Characters

The characters are fairly true to life for the teens while still being caricatures in a good way. It really reminds me of the early aughts.

The Queen is amazing and Joseph is absolutely perfect.

Score: 1

Dialogue

Quippy, fun, memorable, and most of all, it doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The cinematography is good and the framing done well. The colours feel muted a little but that could be Disney+.

The music is excellent and supports the action.

Score: 1

Fun

This movie always makes me uncomfortable and then happy. The kids liked it and the rest of the family have loved it for years.

Score: 0.5

Overall

This is a classic movie with all the teenage angst of the early 2000’s. Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews are iconic and it’s a lot of fun to revisit these characters with my kids.

Final Score: 4 Stars out of 5

Fear Street: Prom Queen – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2025 film Fear Street: Prom Queen.

Story

The story plays out like a mediocre R. L. Stine novel without the creative deaths or any form of tension. The twist was spoiled part way through and copied from Scream.

Score: 0

Characters

Most of the characters were cardboard cutouts of 80’s slasher movies or teen dramas. The main character was interesting and I did like the gender swap of the lovesick friend.

Score: 0.5

Dialogue

The dialogue was decent if a little over the top. Some really cringy moments. It also felt like the villains had very little originality, and it would have been nice if someone had pointed that out.

Score: 0.5

Visuals and Music

The cinematography, gore, and overall camera work were great. Not too much shaky-cam. Some of the deaths were a little predictable and lacked the Stine flare.

The music was good, especially the soundtrack.

Score: 0.5

Fun

Even though I’m not a huge fan of the movie, it was fun in its predictability. It’s nostalgic, has a few Easter eggs for the other movies, and is an okay slasher.

Score: 1

Overall

A fun slasher with lots of nostalgia, both for Fear Street and the 80s. It’s not original and falls flat, but it’s a good time.

Final Score: 2.5 Stars out of 5

Faymous is now available

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Hello Readers!

Faymous started as a wild dream that Jen had and then took ten years for us to turn into an actual novel.

If you like an adventure with music, love, and giant woman-eating shoes; Faymous is for you!

Have a movie poster inspired by our book!
“Faymous” is out now!! YA portal fantasy roadtrip romance.
Cover Art by @pinkpiggy93
Published by River City Siren Press
Co-written with Éric Desmarais
https://www.jeneric-designs.ca/UBL-Faymous
Faymous by Jen and Éric Desmarais
Cover art by Pinkpiggy93
eBook
Paperback

Shiny Math Rocks

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Hello Friends, Family, and Fans;

I love dice. I’ve been running tabletop role playing games for over twenty years and playing them for thirty. It’s fun and beyond creating a wonderful shared world with my friends, one of the things I love are the accessories, books, and especially dice.

I’m very fond of Adventure Dice. They have an awesome dice advent calendar each year.

The other day, I saw a post on reddit about using spice jars and racks to display and organize dice and quickly researched how to do it.

So I present to you my dice:

I’m very happy with them and now I even have room for more. 🙂

Do you like dice?

Stay safe and be kind,

Éric