The Fault In Our Stars book review (you may pick up on spoilers)

Yes I read it fast and I was definitely moved by the story. The transition from all the funny scenes to the saddest moments is smooth. I suppose you could call the love story of Hazel and Augusts unconventional but it is due to the circumstances they face. Hazel Grace is a 16 year old thyroid cancer patient with mets in her lungs and needs medical assistance for her breathing. She meets a funny and attractive boy named Augustus Waters who is a survivor cancer patient of osteosarcoma at the Support Group. He is the best friend of Isaac who later goes blind after his surgery. There aren't a lot of characters but they are the major characters that the story revolves around.

John Green has given us a story of young lovers in a war with cancer. The funny moments make me forget the fact that the characters are dying and when I do realize it I feel sad. It definitely isn't a difficult read and I can't wait to see the film. It is rare to find a film or a book about people who are dying and are making the best out of the time they have left. To be honest I was reluctant to read it just because of the fact that it's about teenagers who have cancer and to me cancer isn't my friend. But I was wrong not to try and as you can see I've fallen in love with this book. That is why I highly recommend it, you'll never know you actually might like it.

The most important theme I've picked up from this book is about relationships and how important these ties are. The best way for me to relay them is to show you some of the funny parts.

Hazel and her mom

Me: I refuse to attend Support Group.

Mom: One of the symptoms of depression is disinterest in activities.

Me: Please just let me watch America's Next Top Model. It's an activity.

Mom: Television is a passitivity.

Me: Ugh, Mom, please.

Mom: Hazel, you're a teenager. You're not a little kid anymore. You need to make friends, get out of the house, and live your life.

Me: If you want me to be a teenager, don't send me to Support Group. Buy me a fake ID so I can go to clubs, drink vodka, and take pot.

Mom: You don't take pot, for starters.

Me: See, that's the kind of thing I'd know if you got me a fake ID. (p.7)

Gus and Hazel

G: Hazel Grace, it has been a real pleasure to make your acquaintance.

H: Ditto, Mr. Waters.

G: May I see you again?

H: Sure.

G: Tomorrow?

H: Patience, grasshopper. You don't want to seem overeager.

G: Right, that's why I said tomorrow. I want to see you again tonight. But I'm willing to wait all night and much of tomorrow.

H: You don't even know me. How about I call you when I finish this? (holding the book)

G: But you don't even have my phone number.

H: I strongly suspect you wrote it in the book.

G: And you say we don't know each other. (pp.36-7)

The best and touching moments are of course at the end of the book. It is during Gus's prefuneral and his letter to Van Houten about Hazel's eulogy.

Isaac's eulogy for Gus

...But I will say this: When the scientists of the future show up at my house with robot eyes and they tell me to try them on, I will tell the scientists to screw off, because I do not want to see a world without him. (p.258)

Hazel's eology for Gus

...I want more numbers for Augustus Waters than he got. But, Gus, my love, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn't trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I'm grateful. (p.260)

Gus's letter to Van Houten

...People will say it's sad that she leaves a lesser scar, that fewer remember her, that she was loved deeply but not widely. But it's not sad, Van Houten. It's triumphant. It's heroic. Isn't that the real heroism? Like the doctors say: First, do no harm... (p.312)

Oblivion movie review

 

Yes you're probably tired of only seeing book reviews and wondered "Whatever happened to the movie reviews?". To be honest, I didn't make time for watching but now I have and as you can see from the title we saw Oblivion. It's a sci-fi film featuring Tom Cruise who plays Tech 49  Jack Harper, one of the last astronaut tech assigned on Earth to maintain the security of the Hydrorigs, which extracts the remaining resources of the planet and send them to the Tet which is the escape vessel for the humans after the war and the Earth became uninhabitable. He lives with his partner/lover, Vica and they are classified as an effective team. They are expected to leave for the Titan in 2 weeks to be with the rest of the survivors and prior to their mission, their memories were wiped off for security purposes. Regardless, Jack still has flashbacks but does not recall who the woman in his visions is and why he is remembering her. It is what makes him curious and derives from the mission and in turn becomes insubordinate.

 

 

I did not know what to expect at first but as I followed it became easier for me to predict what happens next because of other films that have similar plots one of which was distinct I almost yelled it out loud in the cinema was from Moon (2009) as soon as Tech 52 Jack Harper landed his ship to repair the drone. What amazes me most is the tech used and where they live. For some reason, David and I are attracted to it and want to have a place like that to live in. Jack's aircraft looks like a dragonfly to me with the two round things as the wings and the long, narrow body. The motorbike is simplistic in appearance. It looks like an ordinary bike, pimped in white. I can't comment on the guns because I am not a pro at identifying them other than what I've seen in Fringe.

 

There are some cases that make me form theories as to why the story was set in that way just like when Tech 52 Jack Harper disappeared, I wondered where he went and throughout the voice over when Julia and Tech 49 Jack Harper's daughter was on screen, I wondered if it really was 49 who was talking. It wasn't until 52 came with the scavs that I concluded he must have been as curious as 49 because he had the same vision when he saw Julia running after 49. The effects of course are great but the story, when it's supposed to reach its climax immediately falls including the ending. The film could have been better but it's still safe to say that it is a good film but personally I'd rather see Moon again rather than this.

The Infernal Devices #1: Clockwork Angel book review

This is the first book of The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare and is set in Victorian England. Tessa, a 16 year old girl moves from New York to London after her aunt passed away. She is unaware of what is waiting for her and who. She is faced with difficult decisions and facts to accept whether or not she likes it. Her struggle to find her brother, love issues between best friends and discovering her true identity. It is quite overwhelming for someone so young but that is the story of our protagonist.

It is a really great start introducing the heroine and a new world. Being a fan myself of stories about magic and victorian england, this book has definitely satisfied my craving for such. There is such a geat mix of characters and it's as if you have one of every kind.

Characters:

Tessa Gray as mentioned earlier is the protagonist of the story. She thinks at first that she's merely an ordinary girl who is moving with her brother to England. It is only when she arrives that her ability to shapeshift was to be used and she is to be trained by the Dark Sisters in preparation for her presentation to the Magister.

Charlotte Branwell is not only a Nephilim but the head of the Institute of the Clave in England. She may be young and small but she does have a big heart is persists on proving herself worthy of being chosen to lead.

Henry Branwell is also a Nephilim and Charlotte's husband. He is an inventor, however, his devices have yet to prove his capabilities as an inventor.

Will Herondale is the playboy who is desired by women the moment they see his angelic face. The typical characteristics of a hero he's got such as the body and the fighting skills. In essence he is an introvert but uses his sarcarsm and arrogance to shield himself from prying eyes/minds that want to attach themselves.

Jem Castairs is probably one of the kindest characters and although he does not have to-die-for features like Will, his personality is charm itself. But no one can be too perfect therefore his character is a sickly one who may be at the brink of death if he does not take enough dosage of drugs into his system.

Jessie Lovelace is the spoil brat who squanders the money left to her by her parents when they died. She has no interest in being a Shadowhunter although she is born into it. She isn't all bad because there are scenes that show her as an average human being with feelings other than the thrill of spending such that she can care for others. She wants to have normal life and not have to fight like a man like Charlotte does. She is similar to Will when she hides the part of her the can be kind.

Themes:

Love is almost never absent in the books that I read and this is no exception. At first we see our heroine with no partner at all to have to choose between best friends, Will and Jem. But it isn't only Tessa but Sophie as well who may not have realized what Thomas saw in her to be fond of her until she lost him to the clockworks. Charlotte and Henry have an interesting relationship because of the way they just work together. I'm not sure how much of their marriage is out of feelings and emotions and how much of it is just the pure benefit of it. Henry gets to use the lab while Charlotte gets to be the head of the house. There is also Tessa's love for her brother, Nate, which pushes her to find and rescue him from de Quincey.

Trust is delicate. It is difficult to earn but easily lost. Upon arriving in England, all Tessa wanted was to be with her brother and not beaten up by the Dark Sisters when she failed to change into whoever owned the object she held. Tessa could not trust anyone in the Dark Sisters' house to the point that she'd written letters for her brother but did not send them. Instead she hid them under her matress where no one would look. And then at the Institute with the Shadowhunters who she does not know and isn't sure that they are telling the truth about her and is skeptical whether they are to use her like the Dark Sisters did or not. The obvious trusts in the story is when Charlotte and Henry seek information thru Mortmain and Camille. Between the two, it is only Mortmain who broke the trust. Not only did he break his ties with the Clave but also to the Dark Sisters who he had Will and Jem fight off as a decoy and de Quincey by the Clave since they were of no use to him anymore.

When I was reading I thought I was learning new things and I like their explanations for example of how one becomes a vampire. According to the Codex, vampires and werewolves are humans infected with demon disease. At times I wish that I could have a copy of the Codex too so I that I can learn about the creatures in the story.

Overall it was a great read. I recently started thinking about why the author took such a long time to reveal the clockwork angel's power when Henry had already inspected it. He is a character who is unable to produce a functioning device but not someone who cannot understand the mechanism. But yes the author has her reasons and we can keep it at that for now.

Crossed book review

I think I was quite slow in finishing this book. I was still interested in the story but the second installment I found boring in some ways and kind of exciting in another and then annoying. 

The first discipline I had to learn was that when reading a story like this requires me think like the people that are situated there to understand why they feel the way they feel and why they do what they do. 

However, the love story which is highly emphasized was the boring part and I suppose that is the reason I got annoyed. Some scenes were touching like when Vick was talking about Laney at the canyon. The exciting one is the part about Xander's secret, which really intrigued me and surprise, surprise I could not figure it out until it was said in the story. 

I believe that there is a potential but at the moment it looks like a draft that has yet to be edited. I am still going to read Reached because I think that the trilogy still has something to offer because I haven't been totally put off by this book but the story is very interesting as well as the way Ally Condie makes her lovers work their way into loving each other freely.

Les Miserables (2012) Movie Review

Film poster

It was only a week ago that I've watched this interpretation in the cinema and at first I think I wasn't fair because I kept on comparing it to the actual play. And so when I had watched it again a few days ago, I managed to keep an open mind and concentrate on cinematography and adaptation from a musical in the theater to cinema. If you do not already know but I am sure that my loyal readers do, the need for this mentality is because an audience of a film at the cinema is completely different from that of an audience at the theater.

The appreciation is different, which is also why for this musical to be successful as a film there has to be a a way for the audience of a cinema to relate to the story without tiring themselves of the songs.

The story remains the same and so if you have seen either the play or the film then there are no spoilers needed. At the most, this review is going to be about the major actors selected as well as their techniques and interpretation of delivering the songs.

Jean Valjean

Although his understanding and interpretation of the songs are great I am not entirely sure if Hugh Jackman's voice is right for this part but I can't think of another alternative if not this either because upon hearing his voice every time he sings, I just don't get the same fluttery feeling like I do when the others are.

Inspector Javert

I don't know why Russel Crowe has to walk on ledges as if he's walking on a tight rope and yes I know that it is not about the voice I'm referring to now but I just had to say it. I don't know if it's a foreshadowing to his suicide but I can't really stretch it that far. In a nutshell, his voice and interpretation is definitely great.

Fantine

Personally, I believe that Anne Hathaway gave it all her heart and soul. It wasn't completely about her voice that made her performance compelling but the way she portrayed Fantine without overdoing it.

Cosette

Amanda Seyfried's voice is angelic and it what this part needs from the actress. Although I am not taken away by her character, she did the best there is for her to offer and make her part stand out just as everyone else's.

Marius

Eddie Redmayne I think has one of the best voices in this film and I would say his overall delivery was great and met my expectations or perhaps even more and I am not saying this just because I think he's good looking but I really did pay attention to his facial expressions, body language and of course his voice.

Éponine

When Samantha Barks sang On My Own I was hesitant at first because it is my favorite song and I wasn't sure whether or not I was ready to her a new interpretation but I am at ease now because I have not heard a fault and I am not disagreeing with her style. For some reason I've been thinking that if I am asked what character in the play I would do, it would be Eponine.

Thénardier and Madame Thénadier

Helena Carter never ceases to please. In any musical or play adapted to film that she starred in such as Hamlet as Ophelia and as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd has she failed to satisfy our need for entertainment without losing the essence of the characters from their original productions. To work with Sacha Cohen brings more laughter into the mix in the theme of misery. A bit of slapstick here and there is like adding some garnitures to dishes for a bit of fluff and balance.

Gavroche

The French Revolution

Daniel Huttlestone makes me feel both sad and happy. His voice is simply magical that I can't help but be awed by him. I believe that a musical whether it's in the theater or in the cinema is incomplete without a chorus. The songs become more powerful when they sing in unison or in harmony.

Pandemonium Book Review

Pandemonium is the second book in the Delirium trilogy by Lauren Oliver. We follow alternating scenes of Lena's present life back in the city and her life in the Wilds. The transition is well layed-out that it doesn't become irritating or confusing.

Knowing that Alex isn't around pose challenges for Lena to face on her own making her stronger as she decides to use his image as her source of motivation. We see her development from coming to Wilds weak from their escape to Lena pushing herself becoming tougher and more courageous.

Love is a theme that always creeps up on most stories, especially here. Even though Lena is trying to be psychically loyal to Alex, she can't help falling for Julian and Julian learns to love and accepts the 'disease'.

Pandemonium and Delirium are really different in terms of style, which is great in some ways but so far I haven't had a problem with this change and I haven't read a trilogy that follows such a style. It is definitely a thumbs up and I look forward to reading the next book.

Catch Up Challenge

I signed up for this challenge to keep my readings regular because in my opinion just like doing fitness and keeping up with a diet plan, someone or something that keeps me accountable for my routine motivates me not directly but it is at the back of my head and it somehow pushes me. Below is a list of books that have been on my shelves some for years and others are new that I would like to read (not necessarily in this order) completely this year.

• The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman

• Crossed by Ally Condie

• Reached by Ally Condie

• Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

• Envy by Anna Godbersen

• Splendor by Anna Godbersen

• Van Allen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz

• Misguided Angel by Melissa de la Cruz

• Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (definitely before the movie comes out)

• Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

The Scorch Trials Book Review

Just when they thought they were safe, there was more to come. There are unexplainable happenings and they come across uncooperative people that may or may not be trustworthy to begin with. The story continues from when the gladers have been rescued and Thomas has difficulty falling asleep. After waking up to seeing the victims of the Flare at the windows of their room they all panic and try to find a way out. Finding a way out has never been easy, just as the Maze wasn't. Finding their rescuers hanged in the dinning hall and then the mystery of Teresa disappearing only to find a boy named Aris in her room.

No Teresa and no idea how to get out are the initial problems of the gladers until they meet the rat-looking man from WICKED who tells them that they have to move on to the next stage of the experiment. To be honest, I am not sure how I really feel about the second book of the Maze Runner trilogy. There are more questions raised, more puzzling and more confusing. If there's anything James Dashner succeeded in this book is the expression of feeling frustrated. Through the most part of this book, I definitely felt just as annoyed as the characters about their situation hiding from the heat of the sun, finding a place to stay and keeping safe. I suppose the reason why I don't like it as much as the first is because there isn't much to learn about their surroundings and it always feels like there's only dead ends no matter how much further you go.

I am still interested in knowing what happens in the end because I am keen on learning the reason for the existence of WICKED. I want to know whether it really is good and just using the cruelest means possible or they're just plain bad.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner book review

This is truly an amazing book. It is the first in the trilogy preceding The Scorch Trials. It follows Thomas' story from waking in a box up to his and the Gladers' escape from the Maze. They all start out the same when they arrive. Their memories have been wiped out except for the basics like their name or how to walk. Thomas wants to satisfy his curiosity by pushing questions like that of why were they sent there? who sent them there? what are their ages? Unfortunately, not everything has an answer and as I've said earlier, their memories have been wiped. Everyone is left to figuring out how to get out of that place, however, a series of unfortunate events occur that end up pointing fingers at Thomas.

Thomas is one of the major characters in this trilogy. He is very inquisitive and finds it difficult to contain himself when his desire for information exceeds his need to shut up at certain times and/or just saying the wrong thing as a whole. He is braver as well as smarter than the rest of the Gladers. Despite being the second-to-the-last sent to the Glade, he reacts faster and manages to keep himself together far better than the others did when they were first brought into the Glade. He, along with Teresa, Newt, and Minho are somewhat the strategists in the story and find the escape route towards the Creators and to give them what they deserve.

Their desperation to leave the Maze is due to a couple of factors, the most important one being Hope. Hope that there is a way out even if it takes a long time to find that one exit. It is what driving-force them to continue with their lives by building a community-like life in the Maze by having systems/jobs to keep the Gladers busy. 

The second factor is that after Thomas had been sent by the Creators, everything changes like the day after he arrives they send another one, which everyone finds unusual because the Creators only send one every month. To make him look even more suspicious is that they sent a girl who at first the Gladers thought was dead and then suddenly startles everyone by waking up yelling "Everything will change" then back to unconsciousness. And of course, the heroic act of Thomas, outsmarting a Griever, a vile creature that kills anything in its way that is not of its kin, must not be forgotten because no one has ever survived in the Maze at night and yet not only did he survive it but managed to save Alby, the leader of the Glade who was at the point of death before the Grievers even arrived.

After The Ending has been triggered by Teressa, everything has been fast paced from then on. The sun disappears and the sky turns grey. The doors don't close, which means protection from the Grievers at night is lost. The Creators no longer sent food via the box. Everyone starts to hustle and bustle and so does the reader.

The language/dialect the author used is interesting. Such that the Gladers are speaking in English and yet they way they speak it is as if it were another and once again we start to learn how to speak the same way they do via Thomas when he tries to use it every once in a while.

It is a very exciting book and it has a lot to offer. There is always something happening even in silence and I find it almost impossible to let go of my copy to eat or the like. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who takes pleasure in reading adventure/action, dystopian, mystery books.

Wreck It Ralph Movie Review

Before going on our lovely trip to Paris, David and I decided to watch the long awaited Wreck it Ralph. It's about a video game villain called Ralph in a video game called Fix It Felix set in an arcade. It follows Ralph's story of wanting to change from being an evil character into a good character.

Ralph's job is to destroy the apartment building, which would be repaired by Felix and then tossed off the building by the tenants. After being insulted in his game's 30th anniversary, he feels that he has to prove himself.

In the film, the term Turbo is used when a character decides to jump to another game and act as one of the characters there. Unfortunately, when that character dies in the other game he doesn't revive, which means that game and his own game's plugs would be pulled.

Because of Ralph's want for change from good to bad he heads off to another game called Hero's Duty to win a medal signifying him as a good and rewarding character because it is mentioned in the movie that evil never wins.

However, a problem occurs after receiving his medal delaying his victory and he ends up facing new challenges. It leads him to another game called Sugar Rush, a racing game and is at first bugged by a glitch character, which then becomes his friend.

He makes new friends along the way and faces enemies that could destroy all the games in the arcade. It is a really great film that not only has great animation but also has an actual story worth following.

Mildred Pierce miniseries review

I know that this isn't a movie but I do believe that it deserves to be talked about. It is a 5-part miniseries that lasted an hour and a half per part. It does sound long but it was worth it. It is based on the Novel by James Cain, which depicts a mother during the Great Depression stuggling as her husbands leaves he, taking care of their children and finding her place in the working class. A few themes present that I find important are of Capitalism, Power,  Loss, Tragedy, and Female roles. They are the most evident all throughout apart from many more in the film.

It is set in Glendale wherein Mildred's husband, Bert, leaves her for another woman and begins a new life. She cares for her daughters, Ray and Veda. At the beginning, she has too much pride that she does not want to accept that she can only do what she knows how to do, be a domestic helper. For Mildred, it is embarrasing for her eldest daughter, Veda, to know that it is the only way for her to put food on their table. She works as a waitress taking tips while earning 0.25 cents an hour. She is also overprotective of her daughters, perhaps due to her husband leaving them and as for their feelings not to get hurt, she fends of anything that appear to be harmful for their upbringing. She becomes a success when she starts her own business by having her very own restaurant but is later blinded by how she does not see how Veda truly is as a person.

Veda however is a stumbling block in Mildred's life because of her want of a lifestyle where she can have anything she wants at a given time. She wants to be prominent and acts as if  she was a royal with an attitude. She talks like she's one of the so-called accomplished women who can speak several modern languages, skilled with textile crafts, and has the exact air and manner of walking, yes I am referring to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. She is very ambitious and does not show respect to anyone who is not in the same social standing as her or higher. She is a diva and grows up becoming a primadona as her voice is discovered by the one conductor who rejected her as a pianist. She betrays her mother when she sleeps with her second husband, Monty. She is let go by her mother in the end when she decides to move to New York, presumably moving in with Monty. Exactly as her voice instructor said to her mother about her being a Coloratura inside and out. She is brilliant in singing but as a person she has nothing to be proud of.

There is a constant war between Mildred and Veda after Ray dies from a high fever. When Monty enters their world, Veda is even more determined to achieve excellence in almost everything. She becomes a social climber as Mildred's business becomes successful and the tension becomes great on Christmas day when Veda is disappointed to see that her mother got her a wrist-watch. They get into an argument and a slapping battle and Veda wins and starts smoking. Their relationship disappears as time passes by and when Veda moves out, Mildred becomes keen in knowing how her daughter is doing without her, wanting know if she is in god health.

Money is the source of almost every problem; the food, the business, music lessons, etc... Mildred refers to this when she disciplines Veda about snooping in her closet and making the help wear Mildred's uniform. Veda criticizes her mother's choice of work and how she was making thei situation even more worse by working like a lower-class citizen. Unfortunately, it is the only option for Mildred because it is the only thing she is qualified to do. She does not have a background on a particular profession other than domestic work. That is the only way for her to cope with everything that is happening.

I don't know how it goes in the novel but I am planning on getting a copy myself. Overall, the stoy was great. The actors portrayed their characters well. Every seen made me feel what was supposed to be felt, sad when it's dramatic and happy when it's funny. The way the themes are presented through dialogue and actions is suited to make their points.

ParaNorman movie review

I'm not a fan of zombie movies or series, which means The Walking Dead is not something I would jump for joy. Bad memories when I first watched it and it was a marathon with my boyfriend. Don't ask what happened to me because you might think that I'm a sissy and I wanted to try seeing it to know the story myself. I do like Zombieland however and I was excited to see this film after seeing the trailer a few weeks ago.

ParaNorman is about a boy, Norman Babcock, who can communicate with the ghosts who are still roaming about with the living. His life is not an easy one because where he lives, in Blithe Hollow, those who are different aren't socially accepted. What makes it more difficult is that even his family doesn't believe his in his ability and thinks of him as mediocre (not referring to the image on the below specifically but it is funny too). It is only until Neil Downe befriends him that he finds someone who believes in his ability and doesn't have a problem with it. Everyone needs someone to back him up even if solitude is what's appealing for the person. 

During the rehearsal of his school's play, a commemoration of an event that took place 300 years ago of the execution of the town's with, he suddenly has visions of being in the woods but not as himself but as the witch. One of the schoolgirls was right. Witches don't always wear a pointy hat and completely ugly looking.

On the way home, he and Neil are spoken to by Norman's uncle, Mr. Prenderghast, and is told of his duty to protect the town as his uncle has been doing for years. Its both weird and funny how Neil manages to scare Prenderghast away when he says, "Don't make me throw this hummus... it's spicy!". But Norman is left to do exactly as instructed but upon failing on his first attempt and the zombies come to life it appears to be more of a reverse of role.

Instead of the zombies attacking the townspeople it was the reverse. Even I felt sad about it. It is quite an adventure that even his own enemy helped him along with his older sister Courtney, his eccentric friend Neil, and Neil's older and buff brother Mitch.

Norman comes to realize that he shouldn't be following the ritual but to right the wrongs of the old citizens who executed the Agatha by sentencing her to death because she was thought to be a witch because like Norman, she can communicate with ghosts. It was an unfair judgement. They were afraid of her and didn't know what to do but eliminate her thinking that it was the best for their town. Instead of reading the book to Agatha he confronts her and narrates her story to her tells her that it's up to her how the story ends. He manages to convince her to remember the good times because life is not all downs but it has its ups too. This is definitely important for all of us because if we do think about it, we get carried away when we have our sad moments. We should be able to look passed the wrongs done to us or we did ourselves but recall the good times and look into making ourselves happy once more.

Photos taken from:

• http://www.into-the-dark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/size300_original_paranorman_poster.jpg 
• http://content.internetvideoarchive.com/content/photos/7247/00000110.jpg
• http://www.filmofilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/ParaNorman_Still4.jpg

Step Up: Miami Heat movie review

I watched it today and I must say, I had my doubts at first because the last 2 was not as good as I hoped it would. This, however, is AMAZING! Both my sister and I love dancing, it's a big part of our lives, performing, and this really made my day. The best parts of this film are first and foremost the dance numbers, followed by the music and the costumes, the shots, and the storyline.

What I love most about the dance numbers is that at the beginning I already thought that it was great. It wasn't a let down as the movie developed further because every performance got better making me more and more breathless. I think that it was their performance at the museum that I love the most because of the incorporation of all the effects, the music, the costumes, the choreography that matched the location. Every single dance number did just this but to me, the one in the museum is by far the best.

Dance numbers(the ones I could find):

• Ocean Drive
• Initiation to the Mob
• The Office Mob
• We Are the Mob

The music score, all original, is just absolutely incredible. It makes me want to get up and start moving myself but nevertheless, I'm in the cinema so I must refrain from disturbing the rest of the people watching. As for costumes and scenes I really love the dance scene in the restaurant. Emily's dress was wonderful as it followed her every movement and complimented her body. For those who haven't seen it, I strongly suggest that you do. NO! Scratch that. I'm commanding you to watch it and I guarantee that you will not regret it. Or maybe you might and I also might be just being biased because I'm so taken away by it. Either way it's a great movie.

Insurgent book review

Following Divergent, the story continues when Tris, Tobias, Caleb, Susanne, Marcus, and Peter are on their way to the Amity compound. The rest of the story leads to numerous obstacles and puzzling mysteries about the unknown that is beyond the fence. Tris and Tobias's relationship and Marcus's credibility are tested. Veronica Roth has ceased to fail bringing in suspense to the story, I know because I was craving for more every time I turned a page. I bet you can't imagine how I felt when I finished the book. There is not much repetition of locations, which is good because it is nice to see new places and what wonders they may have to offer our imagination. Insurgent has definitely kept up with the thrills from Divergent or possibly more.

Hunger Games movie review

So after I read the book I watched it with my sister. As always when it comes to books being made in to films I tend to worry because it often happens that the story is not followed which ends up ruining it, well for me. It is understandable that it is difficult to make Panem realistic but they have. A lot of the props used are just right for the movie and the setting of the story.

However, just as my fears were, some parts in the book were not followed and to me they were very significant in the story such as the Mocking jay pin that was supposed to be given by Madge to Katniss during the visitation. Also the visit of Peeta's dad to Katniss. For me, they both had a significance such that they play a part in the upcoming events. In the book it made me wonder why his dad visited her and what part does the pin play in the story. It seems like such a huge deal for it to come from the mayor's daughter.

The scenes wherein Haymitch was supposed to give advice to them were also important because it showed a side of him that actually cares and knows what he is doing despite the initial appearance of his character being a drunk. Instead, the movie made him continuously look like a drunk and insufferable except for the scene when he went to get sponsors in order to send her an ointment for her burn.

Also the scenes that involve the planning of making Peeta and Katniss the star-crossed lovers from District 12. The theme of romance was not much played in the movie or at least I could not see it as much as I did in the book. They made Katniss look like she hardly cared about him the entire movie while in the book there was some feeling that was shown including the part when Peeta tells her when he started liking her. When his dad told him that he was supposed to marry her mum but she went off and married a miner. How Peeta knew from then that he had no chances with Katniss and then finds out that he does not have any competition. And also when Peeta finds out on their trip home that she's only been playing a part for him and he ends up feeling betrayed. These scenes help build up the tension not only in Peeta and Katniss's relationship but also Katniss's relationship with herself and to Gale. The confusion she had when he said they could leave the district and survive and be well off with what they have. The film failed to show this one aspect that affects Katniss.

One thing I did like the most in the film is the scene that they added when Rue died. I think it would have been great if it was mentioned in the book. It almost made me cry, or maybe I would have if I was not watching with my sister. It shows so much emotion and drama. It shows exactly what the people of Panem feel about the Hunger Games. However, this confuses me when I think further because I recall from the book with the upheaval of District 13 which is now obsolete might end up being the same fate for District 11's riot. It is a powerful scene and very moving. I hope it does not become a source of difficulty for Catching Fire.

It is only the riot of District 11 that was inspiring. But without the key scenes from the book being followed, the absence of the dialogue which are key to answering questions that arise in the beginning, presence and absence of characters also having roles in the story and help build it up, I can not like it more than how I do now. I might be choosy but it frustrates me when this happens and so this is all I think it deserves.

Divergent book review

I absolutely could not separate from this book. It's like every second I'd have to continue reading. A definite must-read for those who are fans of dystopian novels such as The Hunger Games. In this series, the protagonist, Tris, lives in a society divided into 5 different factions; Amity, Abnegation, Candor, Dauntless, Erudite. It is at the age of 16, in the choosing ceremony, that they will then select their choice of faction. Although it may seem that the choosing is difficult, it is the initiation process that makes it much more unbearable and yet as you continue to read, you get through it alongside the protagonist.

The narrative makes it easy to comprehend such that a second reading is not necessary. It also makes it much more exciting even if it is only told from one perspective. The mysteries and obstacles that Tris faces adds to the excitement of the reader. The links and connections from past to present makes the reader think outside Tris's train-of-thought. Even the pain that she feels almost seem real for the reader as the images are powerful and stirring. 

I haven't been a fan of Dystopian novels but now that I have read this, I can't stop looking for more. I'm looking forward to reading the next, Insurgent, as it is out already. After that, I don't know how long I can stand until the 3rd book comes out, Detergent.