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

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

Battleship - 2012

Category: Movie

Genre:  Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi

Director: Peter Berg

Writer: Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber

Producer: Universal Pictures, Hasbro, Bluegrass Films and more

Cast: Alexander Skarsgard, Brooklyn Decker, Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch, Rihanna, Tadanabo Asano, Hamish Linklater, Peter Macnicol, John Tui, Gregory D. Gadson and more

Tagline: The Battle for Earth Begins at Sea

 An international fleet of ships comes across and is forced to do battle with an alien armada while on a Naval war games exercise. An intense battle is being fought on sea, land and air.


I enjoyed how everything ended. Watched it with the whole household and we all had a grand time. I think watching movies like these with people you love and enjoy to be with plays a part. Great effects! It has an "okay" character build-up because one gets so attached and affected with a certain character. Scream worthy too! :)

But, of course, it's not an intelligent film and many things does not actually make sense. So, if you are someone who is picky with movies and comes in with many expectations you'd be disappointed.

Photo Source: Collider

 

Cathedral - Nelson Demille

Category: Books

Genre: Spy / Thriller

Author: Nelson Demille



Demille is one of my favorite authors in the "spy genre". I first read his book "Charm School".

The Cathedral, is a book that is hard to put down! I have to stay awake to get to the next chapter. Finally, I finished it!!! I actually read this twice, the first one wasn't successful since I couldn't quite get the drift so I didn't finish it. The second time, I began to get the gist of the story.

It's a tragic, romantic story between a revolutionary IRA couple Brian Flynn and Maureen Malone. And both their love for their country - Ireland and it's people. It tackles on an issue between the IRA (Irish Resistance Army) and their hatred for the British concentration camps. A cycle that never ends.

Maureen got burned out and got out of the group but was always reminded by Flynn: "Once in, never out". Which haunted the rest of her life, she took a different path to free their people who are in concentration camps... and began making alliances with the Brits, publicly during St. Patrick's Day in New York.

Brian Flynn and a group of IRA  who has family and friends inside those camps they want to free decided to take hostage 4 people (The Cardinal, Father Murphy, Baxter(British) and Maureen), and took hold of the Cathedral which they plan to blow up with a deadline.

One thing about novels involving the Irish... there's this sense of the occult and always always with a hint of magic and mystery. Because webbed in the story may be considered as a logical point of view, can be Flynn's imagination... but to them who believes in supernatural phenomena.... then it's something different. ;) (something involving the ring and the drive Flynn has).

Photo Source: Ioffer

If You Can See Me Now - Cecilia Ahern

Category: Book

Genre: Drama / Fantasy

Author: Cecilia Ahern



Elizabeth Egan has always been a serious and stiff woman. This was due to her mother leaving their family early on and she was forced to raise her sister Saoirse. Her sister is pretty much like her mom, free-spirited and someone who has no hand on responsibility. Taking advantage of that, Saoirse left Elizabeth with his son, Luke.

At the age of six, Luke claims he has an Invisible Friend named Ivan... at first Elizabeth couldn't see him and begins to think that it's just a phase of Luke's life and that Invisible Friends disappear after three months. But, one day lo and behold she begins to see Ivan but thinks Ivan is the father of Luke's friend.

And off goes this magical yet modern story.

It's my first time to read a Cecilia Ahern book and I LOVEEEE IT!! I found a new love! Whooopee Doo! I like this novel because it mixes the modern and imagination and with a tinge of fantasy in it, which I really really adore. This is a story about "Imaginary Friends". And of fairies and friendship and family and of course Love..... And I just saw online that a movie is being made out of this! Wow.

Love love all the magical moments and wishes. Learned something about Jimmy Jones here (Dandelions) where you get to give out wishes. One of my favorite scenes in the book. It's also heartbreaking whenever it comes to Elizabeth's father... awwww.

It's amazing how one laughs and then cries over the book. At least that was the case for me. :)

Nanny McPhee Returns - 2010

Category: Movie

Genre: Fantasy / Children

Director: Susanna White

Writer: Emma Thompson, Christiana Brand

Producer: Universal Pictures, Studio Canal, Relativity Media

Cast: Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ralph Fiennes, Oscar Steer, Asa Butterfield, Lil Woods, Eros Vlahos, Rosie Taylor-Ritson, Daniel Mays, Rhys Ifans, Maggie Smith, Sinead Matthews, Bill Bailey and more.

Tagline: You'll Believe That Pigs Can Fly.


Nanny McPhee arrives to help a young struggling mother named Isabel (Maggie Gyllenhaal) who is trying to run the family farm while her husband is oversees at war, and also juggling 2 rich & very spoiled niece/nephew who were asked to stay due to the war. Nanny McPhee uses her magic to teach the children five new lessons.



I enjoyed this magical, lovely well-written movie and it's really one good film for the kids. Also... I cried in most parts... T_T. I love the lessons that was placed...  I love the cinematography .. the candy colored scenes... It was just perfectly fun and magical... :)

Leap Year - 2010

Category: Movie

Genre: Chick Flick / Romance / Comedy

Writer: Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont

Director: Anand Tucker

Producer: Universal Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment, Birnbaum/Barber

Tagline: Anna planned to propose to her boyfriend on February 29th. This is not her boyfriend.

Cast: Amy Adams, Matthew Goode, Adam Scott, John Lithgow, Noel O'Donovan, Tony Rohr, Pat Lahfan, Alan Devlin and more.

Anna Brady (Amy Adams) is a busy, goal oriented modern woman who managed to make elaborate plans to travel to Dublin, Ireland and propose to her boyfriend Jeremy (Adam Scott) on February 29 (Leap Day) which is an Irish tradition. However there were setbacks and challenges she has to overcome before reaching her boyfriend on time.

It's a fun, light movie. Which is how chick flicks are supposed to be. The endearment, "bub" reminds me of Logan(Hugh Jackman) of X-Men. I like the accent. This movie introduces us to a unique Irish tradition during Leap Year. This is also a great blend of romance and comedy....

I have a crush on Matthew Goode... so yeah.. this is a heads up for me. I enjoyed Amy Adams during Enchanted that its really great to see her again here. :) Her charm and bubbly self never ceases to make me smile and laugh. I seem to like movies with settings as the countryside or Europe. So.. yeah its a good mix of all those. :)

RBS

Category: Website

Are you into European international rugby tournament or rugby games? And you want to stay updated with the six (6) nations championship?

I have the website for you! Just visit - http://www.rbs6nations.com/

RBS 6 Nations is the official website for Europe's premier international rugby tournament. The six nations are composed of: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. You can view the website in three languages: English, French and Italian. The website provides you with the latest news, match previews, and match reports. Each nation have their own corresponding page. They have the fixtures and results, table, and match data. They have their own photo gallery for all you fanatics out there and some videos in their archives.

If you are into the History they have a separate page for it as well. They also have up-to-date information with the championship, you can also view the Six Nations Council. Also available are the rules, tickets, trophies, press releases and newsletters.

They also have a Fanzone which is just so great for all you craving fans of the Six Nations Championship. They have wallpapers, venue guides, games, podcasts, RBS Young guns, team RBS, Competitions, and Club Linking Program.

So go and visit RBS 6 Nations Now.

What English Speaking Country Do You Belong In?

You Belong in the UK

Blimey! A little proper, a little saucy. You're so witty and charming... No one notices your curry breath

What English Speaking Country Are You?