Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J.K. Rowling

Category: Book

Genre: Fantasy / young Adult

Author: J.K. Rowling


Yahoooo! I finally finished it!

This was the book I borrowed way back in high school ... that I lost... because someone stole it from me. And ever since then. I got discouraged. T_T


It took a month or two of my savings to buy a replacement. Which Ive never done in my whole high school life. Limited budget here for fiction books in the past(mom does not approve of them in the past).

And it was just some 3 years ago... that my mom gifted me the whole set! And it was just this year that I started reading them again.

Anyway, I had a good time. Specially, whenever Remus gets mentioned in the book. The name has a soft spot on me. Right, my boo?

It's riveting and makes you want to read every bit of it. The classes in Hogwarts gets really interesting. (Okay, I sound like Hermione already). Haha... and so do new creatures being introduced in the book.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling

Category: Books

Genre: Fantasy

Author: J.K. Rowling


This is the first novel of the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. This follows, Harry Potter as he discovers his magical heritage and makes close friends in his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.


This is one series that I would never tire of re-reading again. It took me awhile to finish my second round but, I had fun spending time with Harry, Ron and Hermione at Hogwarts. As they build their friendship. This book is mainly about friendship, unconditional love and bravery.

But, for this set, it's about a budding friendship in a magical tale. Ahhh, it's so great to immerse in the world of Magic, specially if its the world of Harry Potter.  :)

Rowling's writing is simply filled with simple humor and direct and wonderful imagination. 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - 2001

Category: Movie

Genre: Fantasy /  Adventure / Family

Director: Chris Columbus

Writer: J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves

Producer: Warner Bros., Heyday Films, 1492 Pictures

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Caultrane, Ian Hart and more.

Tagline: Journey Beyond Your Imagination

This is the first film of the Harry Potter series. This is a tale of an ordinary 11 year old boy named Harry Potter who was left behind his aunt and uncle. In a way he is the male version of Cinderella who serves as a slave to the family. But, then a letter came and he has been invited to attend the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. And he was snatched away from his mundane existence in Pivet Drive by Hagrid and was thrown into the magical world of wizards.


I watched this for the third time with my boo today....

This movie brings to life the world of Harry Potter as based on JK Rowling's novels. It brings good Harry Potter enchanting memories come to life and how one can easily want to be part of the world. Oh, dream on!

It has wonderful special effects and the musical score is absolutely the best! The music gives you the feels of what the world of Harry Potter can feel like. But, a movie aint great if the cast are ill fitted but this film is an exception... because it has great casting, great set of chemistry between the cast and their characters.

You'd love to watch the movie again and again... just like me and my boo did!

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - 2009

Category: Movie

Genre: Fantasy

Writer: J. K Rowling (book), Steve Kloves

Producer: Warner Bros., Heyday Films

Director: David Yates

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Dave Legno, Jim Broadbent and more.

Tagline: Dark Secrets Revealed; Once again I must ask too much of you, Harry

This time, Harry Potter begins his sixth year at Hogwarts and discovered a book entitled " The Half Blood Prince" and begins to have an insight and learns a lot about the Lord Voldemort's past. At the same time, Lord Voldemort's is increasingly becoming active.

Moviedate with Boo! This is one of the best days with him ever!!!

This is my second time to watch the film. Just  to satiate the Harry Potter whimsical craving. (However, this time it is most sweet... because I am watching it with my boo *swoons*)

This series was filled with Love Triangles! And well, it's basically everyone.... partnering with someone. hahaha. Or maybe im just in love thats why... hahhaa. :)That's why I always tend to see the romance part these days. The characters are maturing in this film and their acting are getting better with each film. But, it's pretty much loaded for one film... I think it;s not enough and left a few pieces from the book. It could've been better.

But, either way, it's perfect for me.

Much Ado About Magic - Shanna Swendson

 Category: Books

Genre: Chick Literature / Fantasy

Author: Shanna Swendson



To Do: Manage Magical Mayhem, Save the Company, Save the World
 

Once again, Katie Chandler is back in New York and at Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc. as the new director of marketing – and it's about time she is back!  New York is being gripped by a magical crime as waves of spells from a rogue firm called Spellworks is now beginning to market and is raising it's profile wanting to be known by the magical community by selling protective amulets. It is now war in the world of magic!

Among the Enchanted Series... I find this the most exciting and action packed. Although, it kind of brought me back a bit a Harry Potter world-ish moment, but distinctly an "Enchanted Inc." experience. It is fast paced, and very readable.  I can't wait to read the next series!

Oh Owen, when will you stop holding back your feelings for Katie??? :) Hayyy another one of those book character crush. Woot. *blushes*

Enchanted Inc. #4 - Don't Hex With Texas -

Category: Books

Genre: Chick Literature / Fantasy

Author: Shanna Swendson



This time magic hits Texas when Katie chose to leave New York after the subway incident, thinking being far away or lying low from the magical community will bring everybody peace.

However, magic seems to follow Katie, whether she likes it or not.

I liked this particular part of the series because this is the time when Owen got to visit Katie's family. Also this focused much more on Katie's relationship with her family and her roots.

I love how this way ended too! :) I love the series! woot woot!

Damsel Under Stress - Shanna Swedson

Category: Books

Genre: Chick Literature / Modern Fantasy

Author: Shanna Swedson



I thoroughly enjoyed this series as dragons made an appearance under the tunnels of New York. Well, a damsel won't be completely under stress  when there's no dragons right? So, what will our knight in shining armor Owen Palmer do?







Can I have my own Owen Palmer tooooo? Huwaaaaaaa. He is absolutely pretty much one of those guy characters I'd fall in love with. Handsome but not cocky and not really knowing he is.... a bit "suplado" or "serious" but then warms up and gets all mushy and concerned when with someone he likes/loves.

Great series Shanna!

Enchanted Inc. - Shanna Swendson

Category:  Books

Genre: Chic Literature / Fantasy / Modern

Author: Shanna Swendson

This is a romantic urban fantasy about a girl named Katie Chandler.  She has been living in New York City for about a year already but is originally from Texas. One day, she was offered a mysterious job. When she looks into the job, it turns out that she is one of the 1% in the world who are immune to magic, and that the company offering her the job is a magic company called MSI Inc, which stands for Magic, Spells, and Illusions Inc. It soon becomes apparent that the world is in trouble from the evil wizard Phelan Idris and it is up to Katie and her friends to save it. - from Wikipedia


I enjoyed this whole new refreshing novel about magic and the modern world. It has a unique storyline in a sense that being immune to magic was seen to be special. An angle that wasn't explored by many plots.

It's like a Cabot, Ahern, with a dash of Rowling thrown in between.

It gave me "kilig" moments as well. Ahhh so fun!

Love, Rosie (Where the Rainbows End) - Cecilia Ahern

Category: Book

Genre: Chick Literature

Author: Cecilia Ahern


Is a delightful, enchanting read....  about what happens when two people who are meant to be together who just can't seem to get it right.

Rosie and Alex are destined for one another, and everyone around them seems to know it but them. Best friends since childhood, their relationship gets closer by the day, until one day Alex gets the news that his family is leaving Dublin and moving to Boston. At age 17, Rosie and Alex have just started to see each other in a more romantic light.

It's a charming, romantic, addictively page-turning novel that will keep you laughing and guessing until the very last page.

This is a story about best friends and their funny tale of how they can't seem to get it right..... maybe it's not the right time? Or too much: "this could ruin everything else if"

The whole book is basically "letters" or emails. I remember reading something similar from a Cabot. Although, I enjoyed the whole thing. There was a time you just want to strangle the heroine for her to wake up and see all the hints the guy is dropping. But, it's that part that you would love to hate. It's that feeling of "oooof, how can you miss all those opportunities?" The whole thing makes you read and read and wanting to find out what will happen in the end.

Note: Funny, I bought both books, thinking they both have different stories. ooof! this is what happens when one doesn't read the back cover. Huwaaaaaa

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

Once Upon A Time Season 1 - 2011

Category: TV Series

Genre: Fantasy / Drama

Creators: Adam  Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Robert Carlyle, Lana Parilla, Josh Dallas, Jared Gillmore, Meghan Ory, Raphael Sbarge, Emile de Ravin and more

Tagline: Magic is Coming.


It's two worlds both trapped in a certain timeline.There is a town in Maine, where storybook characters lived and  trapped in two worlds, Only one knows about it - the Evil Queen or in the modern era the Mayor.

However, the Mayor's "son" Henry got caught up in the book and began seeing that the characters in the storybook are the same characters in the town of Storybrook.

It's like a metaphor of the world we live in.... where it's like they are trapped in the 3rd dimension... and with no memory of who they are in another dimension. And being in a different dimension their whole lives will be triggered to a "remembrance" when the one who could break the spell arrives in the town. (sounds like when Christ came down to heaven and showed everyone the way).

Also there's a certain part of metaphor where Gram was looking for his heart hidden in the Evil Queen's vault. and the wolves who was Gram's family would be the wolves.

I AM HOOKED.

First few episodes, I know it got me!

I love how they weaved everything together in this series. It can almost be considered a classic. It's quite something to bring every character in the fairytale books all in one series. And to focus on other character's stories too, not just the princess or the famous ones.

It also gives you the mystery of putting two and two together as everyone is interconnected.

Photo Source: Crimers

Vanity Fair - 2004

Category: Movie

Genre: Drama History

Writer: Matthew Faulk

Director: Mira Nair

Producer: Focus Pictures, Granada Film Productions, Epsilon Motion Pictures

Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Romola Garai, James Purefoy, Gabriel Byrne, Tony Maudsley, Rhys Ifans, Ruth Sheen,

Tagline: On September 1st, a heroine will rise.

The orphaned daughter of a painter, Becky Sharp, who has wit, good looks, fluent French and her eyes for her social status to advance leaves a home for girls to become a governess. With exotic colors of India and British flowers, during the whole movie makes the movie eye-appealing.
This is a long narrative which follows her life for 20 years, and even through marriage.

This is an adaptation of William Thackery's novel. I haven't read the novel, and they say it is entertaining for those who haven't read the novel. ;) and I found it, quite so. There were times where I would cringe with Becky's choices, in her desire to advance socially. The cinematography of the film is good though. :)

Now, I am intrigued with the book... mhmmm....

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - 2010

Category: Movie

Genre: Adventure / Fantasy

Director: Michael Apted

Writer: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, C.S. Lewis.

Producer: Dune Entertainment, Fox 2000 Pictures, 20th Century Fox Film Corporation

Tagline: Take the voyage. Live the adventure. Discover Narnia like you've never seen it before.

Cast: Ben Barnes, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, Anna Popplewell, William, Moseley, Will Poulter, Gary Sweet, Terry Norris, Bruce Spence, Tilda Swinton, Arthur Angel, Liam Neeson (voice of Aslan) and more.

Lucy and Edmund Pevensie lives in one house with their cousin Eustace Scrubb. They are often bullied by Eustace and through a magical painting of a ship inside the house they return to Narnia with Eustace and they met up with Prince Caspian aboard the royal ship The Dawn Treader. During their voyage across the sea they encounter different elementals, dragons, a band of lost warriors, merfolk and more.

Aside from the HP Series.. I am pretty much a die hard fan of the Chronicles of Narnia. This movie brought to life... my imaginations which I've read over and over during my childhood years.

Mhmm...Something seems to be lacking about the movie... I don't recommend the 3D Version. not really satisfying.

I always enjoy it whenever I see Aslan. Reepecheep was fun and paired up with Eustace.. it was great tandem and they brought life to the film with their constant arguing. Will Pulter as Eustace clearly did well and would really make you remember him. With its clean humor, Christian values, magical scenes, this would be a great film to watch with the family. It's good that they made it quite simple.. the story... so thought the younger audience can understand easily.

Metaphysical stories would be the transformation of Eustace (from nasty to being the hero who saves the day).....Lucy's dark side which was vanity, Reepecheeps journey beyond....

Convos I Like:

Coriakin: To defeat the darkness out there, you must defeat the darkness inside yourself.

King Caspian: Now's the time to be strong. Never give in.

Lucy: Aslan, will we ever meet with you in our world?
Aslan: You shall.
Lucy: How?
Aslan: Because there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.

Secrets of the Moonacre - 2008

Category: Movie

Genre: Adventure / Family / Romance

Director: Gabor Csupo

Writers: Lucy Shuttleworth / Graham Alborough / Elizabeth Goudge

Tagline: A Magical Journey Begins

Cast: Dakota Blue Richards, Juliet Stevenson, Tim Curry, Tamas Toth, Augustus Prew, Gyorgy Szathmari, Natascha McElhone

Overview and Review of the movie The Secret of Moonacre Directed by Gabor Csupo.

This movie was adapted from the book by Elizabeth Goudge, called "The Little White Horse".

When 13 year old Maria Merryweather's(Dakota Blue Richards) father dies, leaving her orphaned and homeless, she was forced to leave her luxurious London life with her nanny to go and live with Sir Benjamin, an eccentric uncle she didn't know she had, at the mysterious Moonacre Manor.

I like the enchating setting of the movie, the costumes and all that. The story is well uhmm average, but I like the message behind it though. This movie tackled things about Pride and Greed.

Entertaining yes.... something to pass the time. :)