Posted in Movies, Podcasts

Jumanji – The Next Level

(A movie review by Ishaan Shenoy)

Hello! I am Ishaan and today I am writing about the movie, ‘Jumanji: The Next Level’. 
Jumanji is an adventure board game that magically pulls the players right into the game, making it a real-life adventure for them. In the earlier movie of the series, ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’, the board game magically converted itself into a video game console. Like the board game, the players can survive the challenges of Jumanji and return to their own world, only if they win the game.

Listen to Ishaan’s review of Jumanji – The Next Level

In Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle, four teenagers (Spencer, Bethany, Fridge, and Martha) got pulled into the Jumanji Video Game. They had to group together to survive the game and return to their normal lives. These kids also met Alex, who was trapped inside Jumanji for over 14 years, and together they managed to win and get out of the Jumanji world. The four who had now become friends, had promised never to play the game ever again.

Inesh, Ishaan & Iresh after watching Jumanji with their friends Arjun & Aarav.

All this happened one year before the story of Jumanji: The Next Level. This movie starts with the four of them deciding to meet for a coffee, since it has been such a long time. But when they meet, Spencer is not to be found anywhere. So Fridge, Bethany, and Martha go to Spencer’s house to look for him, but he is not there.

They are shocked to find that Spencer still had the Jumanji video game console, and has disappeared into the game. The friends are left with no option but to go back inside the Jumanji game and try to save Spencer. But when they try to start the game, they are all pulled into the Jumanji world, but Bethany is left behind! Instead, Spencer’s grandfather Eddie and his friend Milo are sucked into the game. Now their job of winning the game became so much more difficult.

Jumanji – The Next Level (Image: MovieWeb.com)

Quickly, they all realize that this game is a whole new level and a whole lot tougher than the last one. Will the gang manage to find Spencer and save Jumanji yet again? How can they do this without Bethany being in the game? Or will they stay stuck inside the game for ever? Watch the movie to find out!

This movie is way funnier than the last two Jumanji movies. My favorite characters here are Fridge and Spencer’s grandfather Eddie. Also Dr Smolder Bravestone is played by Dwayne Johnson. He was a former professional   known as by his ring name The Rock. His wrestling career lasted for over seven years. He later moved on to a career of acting. My friends love WWE so much that sometimes they even play matches! I watched this movie in the PVR 4DX theater with my brothers and our friends Arjun and Aarav.

This is the best Jumanji movie so far. This movie was connected a lot to the earlier ones. My favorite part is when Fridge finds out that Eddie and Milo have come inside the game and not Bethany! And that Eddie has to be reminded almost every minute that he is not dead or dreaming! That was really funny.

4DX experience makes you feel like you are inside the movie and makes everything feel realistic. Here, it was like we too were pulled inside the Jumanji world! This is at least the fourth time that we have seen a movie in the 4DX Theater. 4DX is one of my favorite ways to watch a movie. If you want to know more about the 4DX experience, check my twin brother Inesh’s review of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

This is what Inesh has to say about ‘Jumanji: The Next Level’:
“I loved Jumanji. We watched the movie with our friends and so we had a lot more fun. I liked all the different characters. This movie was very different from the last two movies. It was a lot more funnier. I did not expect it to be so good, but when I saw it I was laughing and laughing. I think everyone will have a lot of fun watching this movie.”

Our younger brother Iresh was not very keen to see this movie, as he thought it maybe scary like the first Jumanji movie. But when he watched Jumanji: The Next Level, he loved it more than us and was laughing louder than all of us.

We loved Jumanji: The Next Level and hope you do too. If you have already seen this movie, tell us what you think about it. Did you like it? What was your favorite scene? Write to us.
Meanwhile, I am now eagerly awaiting for movies like ‘Black Widow’, ‘Wonder Woman: 1984’, ‘Artemis Fowl’, and ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ to release. I really can’t wait to see them. Are there any movies that you are looking forward to? Tell us about them.

Until next time!

Posted in Podcasts, Travel

Visiting the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221b Baker Street, London

– A Travel Journal by Ishaan Shenoy

We recently travelled to England and Scotland in the United Kingdom. During this trip, we went to London for a week, and did a lot of sightseeing. We saw the Buckingham Palace, Hyde’s Park, London Bridge, and many other tourist places. In London, we also visited the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, the London Eye, Disney’s Shrek Adventure, the London Dungeon, Sea Life, and of course Legoland. 

Listen to the travel report directly from Ishaan Shenoy

Today, I am going to write about our visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum. It is located at 221b Baker Street and is made to look like the official house of Sherlock Holmes. It even has a shop which sells souvenirs, posters, games, action figures, books, etc., all related to Sherlock Holmes.

Inesh, Ishaan, and Iresh (The #iThree) keep vigil along with the policeman outside 221b Baker Street, London

We went on a tour of the house inside which Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson lived. It is a four story building.  In the first floor is Sherlock’s room. It was amazing. There was the armchair he sat on, his violin, and even the skull he kept near the fireplace. His pipe and cap were also there, along with a lot of things that appear in the Sherlock Holmes stories. 

In the second floor was Dr Watson’s room. Inside there were two pages of a book, that Watson wrote. There were also mannequins doing different scenes from Sherlock’s adventures. Looking around these two rooms, it feels like Sherlock Holmes was real and really lived in this house. But we know that he was only a character – and the best consulting detective – created by Arthur Conan Doyle.

I don’t remember the third floor very well, but I do remember the fourth floor which was the attic. The attic had a small toilet and bath, and also a few suitcases and boxes used by Sherlock. We were greeted into Sherlock’s house by Mrs Hudson, who is his housekeeper. Also, there was Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard, who showed and explained some of the things in the room.

My brothers also visited the Sherlock Holmes Museum with me, and this is what Inesh has to say about the experience:  

There was a person standing outside the main door of 221b, dressed as a policeman from the Sherlock Holmes times. Inside the house, I really liked the Sherlock Holmes statue and the way they had used many mannequins to show different scenes from the Sherlock Holmes books. 

They even had this large book and a feather pen (quill) on Dr Watson’s desk to show how he would be writing. The best part was that the wall in Sherlock’s room had bullet holes, showing how he had fired his pistol at the wall to try it out. Exactly like in the books and his movies!

Inesh and Ishaan (the iTwins) strike a pose alongside the bust of Sherlock

My favourite part was when I got to see Sherlock and Watson’s rooms. It all felt very real and looked like Sherlock and Watson really lived in this house. It has made me like Sherlock even more and I have now started reading all the Sherlock Holmes books!

Ishaan is inspecting a corpse alongside Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson

If you are a Sherlock Holmes fan, you will love this Museum. If you are not a fan, visiting the Sherlock Holmes Museum will really make you a fan. Thank you for reading this review. See you soon! 

Bio: Ishaan Shenoy is a ten-year old, and the twin brother of Inesh. Along with their seven-year-old brother Iresh Shenoy, they make the #iThree. They share their real-life experiences of books, movies, and travels at i3andco.com

Posted in Books, Comics, Podcasts

Chakra The Invincible – by Stan Lee

A book review by Ishaan Shenoy

Hello! My name is Ishaan Shenoy and I am nine-years-old. Today I am going to review the book, ‘Chakra The Invincible’ by Stan Lee. Yes! The same Stan Lee who is the legendary creator of Spiderman and all the Marvel characters! Chakra is illustrated by Jeevan J. Kang. 

Listen to the review directly from Ishaan Shenoy

The book is about a boy named Raju Rai, who stays in Mumbai. His parents are dead and he lives with his elder brother Sameer. Raju accidentally finds a super-hero suit created by a scientist, Dr Singh. This suit gives Raju super powers and lets him fly, shoot lasers, see the future, and even heal others! 

My favourite part is when he gets struck by lightning and sees the future: he sees Rio, Bangalore, Mumbai, New York, and many more cities around the world going up in flames. He sees the end of the world! 

Ishaan appears rather excited with the book

The villain of this story is Shatru Seth, who is also known as Boss Yama, the god of death. He wants to destroy the world and kill all the people. He wants to end the world. Raju knows that he is the only one that can stop this. But what can he, a small boy, do against the combined strength of Yama and his team of super villains?

This story is interesting because it takes place in Mumbai and India. Chakra is Stan Lee’s first Indian superhero. Also, there is a point where Raju’s brother Sameer joins the villains side, and unknowingly fights and captures Raju. What happens afterwards? 

Boss Yama has captured all the leaders of the world in one place, and plans to replace them with his own people. Can Raju as Chakra stop him and save the world? You have to read the book to find out.

While Chakra is created by the same Stan Lee that created Spiderman and all the Avengers, I did not like it as much as all the other Marvel stories. The Avenger stories are more interesting, surprising, and fun. But I loved it when Stan Lee appears in the book. I always like the parts when Stan Lee appears in the comics and the MCU movies!

By the way, ‘Chakra The Invincible’ was also made into an animated movie. Have you seen that on TV? I liked the animation as much as the book. After all, the story is the same.

I think you should read this book because it has action, laughs, and a little bit of suspense. If you read this book, let me know. I would like to know if you liked it. 

See you soon! 

PS: Are you looking forward to watching Captain Marvel this weekend? It is releasing tomorrow and we can’t wait to watch it in the theatre!

Posted in Comics, Movies, Podcasts

Spiderman: Into The Spiderverse – The Movie

A movie review by Ishaan Shenoy

Hello! I am Ishaan Shenoy and I am nine-years-old. Today I am going to review the movie ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’. I was eagerly waiting to watch this movie because a scene from it was shown as one of the post-credit ending scenes at Venom.

Listen to this movie review directly from Ishaan

‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ is about a boy named Miles Morales who gets bitten by a radio-active spider, making him the only Spiderman in the universe. I am kidding! 

The movie begins with the real Spiderman dying as he tries to stop Kingpin from running a really large, dangerous machine that may destroy the world. And it gives us one surprise after another, and gives us a lot of laughs. 

The iThree play their parts at the Spiderman into the Spiderverse installation
The #iThree play their parts at the Spiderman into the Spiderverse installation!

With the help of four more spider-people and a spider-pig from around the multiverse, Miles has to stop the Kingpin from destroying the universe. But Miles has not yet learnt to use his new powers, and the other spider-heroes think that he is not ready and can’t really help in fighting Kingpin and his gang. 

This movie is very different from all the recent Spiderman movies as it is animated and very colourful. Even if it is animated, the movie is still very realistic and pulls us into the wonderful world of the multiverse. 

My favourite part is when Miles makes his Spidey suit and jumps off a building. He is still learning to use his powers and this brings a lot of funny scenes. It also gives us a hint of the different powers he has. 

I saw this movie with Inesh, Iresh and my dad in the 4DX theatre of PVR Cinemas, which has many special effects like moving chair, blowing wind, fire effects, and even falling snow! All these made this movie experience even more fun and special. 

Wall of the PVR 4DX Theatre with the words Motion, Light, Bubble, Wind, Water, Snow, and Scent.

Can Miles and his spider-friends defeat Kingpin? Will they be able to save the universe or is it too late already? Watch the movie to find out!

I think you should see this movie because it is filled with comedy and lots of action. I hope you see this movie and like it as much as I did. 

I am now looking forward to watch Captain Marvel which releases on March 8th. I am really excited about it as it will give some important hints to Avengers – End Game. Do you like the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe)? Which movies have you watched? What is your favourite. Please tell me.

See you soon! 

Posted in Books, Podcasts

Fortunately The Milk – by Neil Gaiman

A book review by Ishaan Shenoy

Hello! My name is Ishaan Shenoy and I am nine-years-old. Today I am going to review Neil Gaiman’s ‘Fortunately The Milk’. It is about a family who wake up one day to realise that they are out of milk. The father steps out to get some milk and does not return for a very long time. 

Listen to the review directly from Ishaan Shenoy

The kids wait and wait for their father to come back with the milk so that they can have their cereals. As they wait, they get bored and start to play one game after another. Finally, the father comes back after what has been a very very long time, and tells them a big, long story about why he was delayed. 

Ishaan remembers just how funny the book is!

His story has everything from time travel to flying machines to aliens to dinosaurs! Fortunately, he saves the milk packet every time, and also claims to have saved the world! Is he telling the truth or just telling a long tale to hide the real reason why he was late in getting milk for the kids? 

This book came to us in a box-set of three books by Neil Gaiman, and also had ‘The Graveyard Book’ and ‘Coraline’ in it. All these books have been illustrated by Chris Riddell. The drawings are really nice and make the book more funny. My twin Inesh has already reviewed ‘The Graveyard Book’ and I hope that you have read it. 

What I like most about Neil Gaiman is that his books are always filled with great imagination. I think you should read this book because it is filled with lots of action and laughs. My favourite part in this book is when the father meets the brilliant Doctor Steg, who is a dinosaur scientist and has created a time machine! 

My brother Inesh has also read this book, and this is what he says: 

My favourite part is when the father escapes from the green globby aliens. I like this book because of all the time travelling and the jokes. I think you should read this book because it is funny, wacky and awesome. Or as ‘The Bad Guys’ would say, “Back-Flipping Awesome”!

Inesh Shenoy (@i3andcoblr)

I agree with Inesh! Fortunately The Milk is most funny and gives us a lot of laughs. I wonder if the story is really of Neil Gaiman himself, and that makes it even more funny! I think you will enjoy the book a lot. I know I did! 

If you have read this book or any other book by Neil Gaiman, tell me what you think of them. I want to hear from you.

See you soon! 

Posted in Books, Podcasts

The Secret Seven – by Enid Blyton

A book review by Ishaan Shenoy

My name is Ishaan Shenoy and I am nine-years-old. Today I am going to review The Secret Seven series. It is a series of 15 books by Enid Blyton featuring seven children and their dog Scamper, who solve mysteries. Their names are Peter, Janet, Colin, George, Jack, Pam, and Barbara. 

Listen to the review of The Secret Seven directly from Ishaan

What I like most about Enid Blyton’s books is that it is always about mystery or fantasy. She has written over 600 books including the most popular Adventures of Noddy, the Five Find-Outers, the Famous Five, The Wishing Chair Collection, Magic Folk Collection, and many more. 

Ishaan is happy showing off his Secret Seven collection!

The books I have were given to us by my father. They are a collection of five books containing three stories each. Each story is a book by itself, and about 120 pages. It took me a few weeks to finish each set of three books.

My favourite book in the series is the Secret Seven Mystery. This book is about a house owner who leaves his house empty for a few days. And then something or someone is entering the house in the nights! The Secret Seven try to solve the mystery by finding out the truth. Read this book to find the answer. 

I like reading the Secret Seven because each story has adventure, mystery and suspense. I really hope you read these books and enjoy them. If you read any of the Secret Seven books, let me know. I will love to hear from you. 

See you soon!