She Went All The Way - Meg Cabot

Category: Books

Genre: Chick Literature

Author: Meg Cabot


Lou Calabrese is a Hollywood screenwriter, off to go on a helicopter en route to the wilds of Alaska to oversee the latest movie she wrote. However, on the way she was sharing the helicopter with no other than: Jack Townsend. The uber famous Hollywood actor who stars in her film, and whose long-time love eloped with Lou's bestfriend.  

Success hasn't spoiled screenwriter Lou Calabrese -- it's just given her a taste for luxury. And it's put her in some bizarre situations -- like in a helicopter en route to the wilds of Alaska, sharing too-close quarters with the last man she wants to be with: Jack Townsend! Once a sexy nobody whom Lou helped make a somebody, Jack's just been dumped by a high-profile


I paused the reading of the Hunger Games trilogy for awhile because someone suggested to break it off with a different book muna (eventhough I wanted to just read it straight). 

It's an adult contemporary chick literature this time for Cabot.

But, it's not entirely uhmmm that unique. This is your typical love/hate relationship in a Hollywood setting. And, well if you just want a book to take your time... this will be perfect for you. :)

Photo Source: http://libraree.tumblr.com

Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

Category: Book

Genre: Sci-Fi

Author: Suzanne Collins


After Peeta and Katniss wins the 74th Hunger Games, they are now preparing for the Victory Tour. Where they will be touring each district until they reach the Capitol. However, Katniss' got a visit from President Snow who was not pleased with how the Games turned out. However, the Victory Tour is currently disturbing other districts and may even cause some rebellious outbreak which the Capitol has been keen on putting out.



I cried most of the time in this book! Gah. I just read the 2 books straight while I'm on a bed rest!! Which is actually good. Teehee.

I like the way it was written because of its utter simplicity yet vivid narrative and yet emotionally filled action scenes. It pierces your heart at exactly the right time and gives you shivers now and then.

I want to read book 3 already!!!!!

Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

Category: Book

Genre: Sci-Fi / Drama / Dystopian / Adventure / Action

Author: Suzanne Collins


The Hunger Games is a dystopian novel for young adults. North America is now run by the powerful Capitol and is now divided into 12 districts (originally 13 but District 13 was destroyed), and is now called Panem. In the 12th District, there's Katniss Everdeen (16y/o) and Gale who hunts for a living. In order to keep the status quo and to remind the 12 Districts not to rebel, every year they hold a game of death, chosing 2 tributes per district via "draw". Katniss' sister was picked to be the tribute but then Katniss exercises her option to volunteer for the games. With Katniss comes Peeta, the baker's son.  Together, they must fend for themselves and survive.


I got hooked with reading this because it has an interesting plot. Although, it's something that is socially and  uhmmm morally not sound. The Hunger Games, I mean.

But, what I particularly liked about it was the love triangle between Gale, Katniss and Peeta. Can someone hand me at least a Gale or a Peeta? *giggles*

Anyway it was a breeze reading it. The author did not use any big words. It was simple but enough to give you the hand or play with imagination. The book tackled many things that can actually make people relate to: love, honor, freedom, rebellion, poverty, family, friendship and particularly survival. In the arena, you'd want to move from page to page since the suspense builds up and introduces many new creatures that came with technological evolution.

Anyway, this ain't something "intelligent", if you want to argue.. but it was successful enough to the audience it aimed for. And it's a good book to start or recommend if one wants to get into "reading". :)

Photo Source: NPR

The Cloud Atlas - Liam Callanan

Category: Book

Genre: Historical Fiction

Author: Liam Callanan

It is the mid 1940s, set against the magnificent backdrop of Alaska during the days where the World War II is waning. The Cloud Atlas is an enthralling debut novel, a story of adventure and awakening—and of an eighteen year old soldier, trained under bomb disposal on an extraordinary, top-secret mission…and found a world that would haunt him forever.

At first I thought this was the famed "Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell, but a few chapters went by, with the same setting and I knew this wasn't Mitchell's. I finished the book, only because it was interesting and I was already halfway the book when I realized it's not Mitchell's. [yes, it was an ebook I got somewhere. only because I couldn't find a copy of David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas in the bookstores!!]

With all the references to shamans, magic, palm reading, astrology, tuunraq, balloons containing bombs and the impending war.... its a dazzling unique love story, or this enchantment of the 18 year old soldier with the Yup'ik woman named Lily. It's also a good look of Alaska and it's culture.

A literary art piece. Lovely all on it's own. 

Photo Source: Good Reads

Despicable Me - 2010

Category: Animation

Genre: Comedy

Director: Pierre Coffin & Chris Renaud

Writer:Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio

Producer: Universal Pictures, Illumination Entertainment

Cast: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Elsie Kate Fisher

Tagline: Some call him bad, "they" call him dad.

A trio of orphan girls are being used by a criminal mastermind Gru, as pawns for a grand scheme and can be the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon. But then, an innocent and pure love from the three girls is profoundly changing Gru for the better. The world's greatest villain has just met his greatest challenge: three little orphan girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes. 

This film was recommended to me by a friend who really enjoys Gru, and so I can relate to a bully-like Gru... I watched the film. :)

Its dark humor, villainy stuff was muffled down by the appearance of the  three little girls. Fun and heartwarming, oftentimes cute and fuzzy. I enjoyed watching the film, and how it shows a side of villains that is never often showed. Villains got heart too! :)And it's good that this also portrays the "single dad" role which is often rare in cartoons or in movies. :)

Photo Source: GreatFun4Kids

Howl's Moving Castle - 2004

Original Title:  Hauru no ugoku shiro

Category: Anime

Genre: Fantasy

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Writer: Hayao Miyazaki, Diana Wynne Jones

Producer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment, DENTSU Music and Entertainment, Mitsubishi

Cast: Chieko Baisho, Takuya Kimura, Akihiro Miwa, Tatsuya Gashun and more.

Tagline:

When Sophie, a young 18-year old girl, was cursed with an old body by a witch, her only chance to break the spell lies with a young insecure wizard, named Howl, who lives in a "moving castle".


From the makers of Spirited Away comes this amazing tale of wizardry and love with a dash of a funny bone.  It has a unique storyline, that when it ended I found myself going... "ahhhh.." I enjoyed it albeit it's often weirdness and  unpredictability.. it keeps you guessing till the end. It's a film, where you would still mull over what happened, and it leaves you with something..... maybe something magical. Highly creative and most imaginative film yet. His storytelling is outside the common way of how westerners would tell stories.

Miyazaki, you are the best!!

Quotes:

Sophie: They say that the best blaze burns brightest, when circumstances are at their worst.

Photo Source: Cartoon Online

People Like Us - 2012

Category: Movie

Genre: Drama / Family

Director: Alex Kurtzman

Writer: Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci

Producer: Dreamworks SKG, Kurtzman Orci Paper Products, Reliance Entertainment

Cast: Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Hall D'Addario, Olivia Wilde, Mark Duplass, Sara Mornell, Philip Baker Hall and more

Tagline: Find your family.

Sam, a smooth talking salesman thought his father who died left him any money so he can get out of the jam he got himself into but discovered something else. He then later found out that he has sister named Frankie.

I wasn't really expecting what I would see and I never knew the plot and most of us were like guessing what would be next or why this and why that. We had a ball watching it though. It has a good enough character development which actually added mystery to the whole film.

This film has a mature take on supposedly "dysfunctional" families. Or skeletons in a family's closet. Where you can really work things out. That sometimes you really have to go out of the way to understand your family. It is artistic, and all actors really did well in pulling this film off.

Another unique storyline, written wonderfully.... about family, brotherhood and sisterhood. Seems like films nowadays has just gotten better or my sister is just good at spotting or hearing about good films. :) Good musical score as well.

It has a heartwarming ending...one that can make you go "awwwww".


Quotes from Film:

Six Rules: 1. If you like something because you think other people are gonna like it, it's a sure bet no one will. 2. Most doors in the world are closed, so if you find one you want to get into: you damn well better have an interesting knock. 3. Everything you think is important, isn't. And everything you think is unimportant, is. 4. Don't shit where you eat. 5. Lean into it: the outcome doesn't matter. What matters is that you're there for it. 6. Never sleep with someone who has more problems than you do. 

Photo Source: Glow Gaze

Touchback - 2011

Category: Movie

Genre: Drama

Director: Don Handfield

Writer: Don Handfield

Cast: Brian Presley, Kurt Russell, Melanie Lynskey, Marc Blucas, Sarah Wright, Drew Powell, Steve Turner, Kevin Covais, James Duval,

Producer: Freedom Films, Palo Verde, Hannibal Classics

Tagline: Would you give up everything you love for a shot at everything you've ever wanted?

On the biggest game of his life Scott Murphy (Brian Presley), the best High School Football player in the nation injures his knee which destroyed his college dreams and professional career. 15 years later, he gets a flashback and a chance to go back and change his-story. 


It is an inspiring film and I enjoyed it's unique storyline. It has a metaphysical ring to it. Great character development. This plays on some sort of a near death experience thing. It's also about family and making choices and making the "right now's" count.

It's pretty much about teamwork... but more on a man's journey to life specially one's that could change one's life forever, what will you do with a second chance?

"the future is just a bunch of right now's strung together."

I feel more films like these should be made. It's simple and it started off slow... and yet very moving and gets better by the near end. 

Quotes:

Coach Hand: Do you know what the future is Scott? The future is just a bunch of what you do right now strung together. And what you are doing now is giving up. And trust me there is no future in that. Scott, I hope you don't give up this easy in life, because it gets a hell of a lot harder than football.

Coach Hand: Gentlemen, some players have talent, others have heart, but tonight I've seen players with talent who I didn't know had any, and others that have heart who I thought only had talent. The quality and standard of your life will not be determined by how well you play football, but by how well you confront adversity. Attitude! Gentlemen, if you keep playing like this I promise you, you will leave this field winners. Get in here.

Photo Source: Ace Showbiz

Spaceballs - 1987

Category: Movie

Genre: Comedy / Adventure

Director: Mel Brooks

Writer: Mel Brooks,Thomas Meehan

Producer: Brooksfilms, Metro-Goldwyn Mayer (MGM)

Cast: Mel Brooks, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, Dick Van Paten, George Wyner, Michael Winslow, Joan Rivers,

Tagline: May the schwartz be with you.

The King of Planet Druidia King Roland is getting his daughter Princess Vespa married to Prince Valium. However, Vespa is kidnapped by the evil race of the Spaceballs, in exchange for all the air of Druidia. The king offers a generous amount of money to Lone Starr a space rogue to save Vespa.

This is a Korny parody of the star wars. uhmmmmm not exactly that good.. but well..... if you just want to laugh or is reallly into star wars... welll you can endure this. But, I'm guessing some people opt for movies like this when you just want to laugh out loud.

Photo Source: Star Wars Wikia 

Perfume: The Story of A Murderer - 2006

Category: Movie

Genre: Drama / Fantasy

Director: Tom Tykwer

Writer: Andrew Birkin, Bernd Eichinger

Producer: Constantin Film Production, VIP 4 Medienfonds,

Cast: Ben Whishaw, Fransesc Albiol, Dustin Hoffman, Simon Chandler, David Calder, Richard Felix and more.

Tagline: He lived to find beauty. He killed to possess it.

Jean-Baptiste Grenouille was born with a superior olfactory sense in the stench of eighteenth century Paris, which would come of use to him by creating the world's finest perfume.
But, then this tale turns into a dark turn as he tries to create the "ultimate perfume".


This film was artistically done, and I just learned earlier that a famed national artist enjoyed this film so much that he watched it at least 5 times. o_O

It has this epic unique storyline, and the way everything was made, cinematography, musical score was just perfect. However, there were scenes near the end that can be quiet disturbing, that I wouldn't want to dare watch it again. It left me... uh... errrmm.. surprised.... heavens there was this shock-value involved.

Anyhoo, for people who likes unique films and is not bothered by a few disturbing scenes.. you would enjoy it. :) 

Photo Source: Tumblr

So Undercover - 2012

Category: Movie

Genre: Chick Flick / Action / Comedy

Director: Tom Vaughan

Writer: Allan Loeb, Steven Pearl

Producer:  

Cast: Miley Cyrus, Jeremy Piven, Mike O'Mailey, Joshua Bowman, Lauren McKnight, Kelly Osbourne, Eloise Mumford, Megan Park, Morgan Calhoun, Alexis Knapp, Matthew Settle, Autumn Reeser and more

Tagline:  COLLEGE... It's the most dangerous assignment of all

Molly(Miley Cyrus), was hired by an FBI agent to go undercover in a college sorority. She was qualified since she's a tough, street-smart gal whose dad was ex-cop turned into a private investigator. 

Uhmmm too chick flicky-ish. Haha. Predictable. Not exactly that good. Maybe when I was back in my teenage years I would have enjoyed it because anything "spy" would knock me over with delight! And it has similar scenes with Miss Congeniality.

All in all? I wouldn't watch it for the second time. 

Photo Source: Filmofilia