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!

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

The Red Tent - Anita Diamant

Category: Books

Genre :Historical Fiction

Author: Anita Diamant

In the Bible, Dinah's life only hinted a brief and violent detour in the book of Genesis. This exquisite novel reveals the traditions and turmoils of ancient womanhood--the world of the red tent. It begins with the story of her mothers--Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah--the four wives of Jacob.


One of the best novels about the feminine I've ever read. Although, it's pretty much a historical fiction, you can't help but consider that, maybe just maybe it can be true.

It fills you with love and can sometimes crush your heart as what Dinah has to go through... ahhh i love it. I had my bouts of crying and most of the time wonder of the olden times as I read and devour the book. I enjoyed the often mystical way of passing on the tradition about womanhood. Anita Diamant is also a very good story teller and I love how she strings the words and stories.

Photo Source: Sluiternation

Princess Protection Program - 2009

Category: TV Movie

Genre: Teens / Comedy / Family

Director: Allisson Lidi

Writer: Annie deYoung

Tagline: Royalty meets Reality

Companies: Disney Channel, Rainforest Productions, Buena Vista Home Entertainment,

Cast: Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Nicholas Braun, Molly Hagan, Johnny Ray, Jamie Chung, Samantha Droke, Robert Adamson, Kevin G. Schmidt, Dale Dickey, Sully Diaz, Tom Verica, Jessenia Da Silva Rios and more.

Overview and Review of the TV Movie Princess Protection Program directed by Annie DeYoung and written by Allisson Lidi.


Princess Rosalinda(Demi Lovato) is in danger! An evil dictator is threatening to take the thrown. She was then placed under the Princess Protection Program, a secret organization funded by royal families all over the world that looks after the princess in danger. In charge of Rosalinda was Mason (Tom Verica), an agent of PPP in Louisiana. Mason brought Princess Rosalinda at their home where she met, Mason's daughter Carter (Selena Gomez).

Anyway, this is a typical Disney film. Very good for kids age 6-15. and for teenagers at heart. Not really for adults. :) only for teenyboppers. :)

Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants - 2005

Category: Movies

Genre: Chick Flick

Director: Ken Kwapis

Tagline: Laugh. Cry. Share the pants.

Casts: Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bedel, America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Jenna Boyd, Bradley Whitford, Nancy Travis, Rachel Ticotin, Mike Vogel and more.

Overview and Review of the movie Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants directed by Ken Kwapis

This movie is based on a book written by Anne Brashares. Four best friends(Lena, Brash, Tibby and Carmen) spends their summer for the first time, away from each other. Before they part ways to different places for the summer, they found a magical pair of jeans that fits all of them perfectly event though they have various shapes and size. They made an agreement to share the pants the whole summer with each other and to keep in touch and write something wonderful that happened along with it because they believe it's magic.

What the four best friends had - is one DREAM FRIENDSHIP for every girl out there. Their bond is sooo good and you can see they accept each other unconditionally. Like sisters born in different families. This movie is all about their one summer where they are apart for the first time. It's a heartwarming coming of age story (and it can make you cry and laugh).... and the chemistry of the four young actresses were good and that's what makes this movie pretty special.

I also like the lines they came up with... because there's truth in it.

Some Lines I like:

Bailey: Maybe the truth is there's a little bit of loser in all of us, ya know? Being happy isn't having everything in your life be perfect. Maybe it's about stringing together all the little things like wearing these pants or getting to a new level of Dragon's Lair - making those count for more than the bad stuff. Maybe we just get through it... and that's all we can ask for.

Kostos: Some people show off their beauty because they want the world to see it. Others try to hide their beauty because they want the world to see something else.
Lena: And what do you see?
Kostos: Everything.

Carmen: [voiceover] It would be easy to say that the pants changed everything that summer. But looking back now I feel like our lives changed because they had to, and that the real magic of the pants was in bearing witness to all of this and in somehow holding us together when it felt like nothing would ever be the same again.
[pause]
Carmen: Some things never would be
Lena: But we know now that no matter how far we traveled on our own separate paths...
Bridget: Somehow we would always find out way back to each other.
Tibby: And with that, we could get through anything.
Bridget: To us. Who we were, and who we are. And who we'll be.
Tibby: To the pants.
Lena: And the sisterhood.
Carmen: And this moment, and the rest of our lives.
Carmen, Lena, Bridget,Tibby: Together and apart.

A Very Special Love - 2008

Category: Movie

Genre: Filipino / Love

Directed by: Cathy Garcia Molina

Producer: ABS-CBN Film Corporation, Viva Films, Star Cinema Productions

Cast: Sarah Geronimo, John Lloyd Cruz, Irma Adlawan, Gio Alvarez, Matet De Leon, Marianna del Rio, Joross Gamboa, Al Tantay and more.

Seen: August 24, 2008

This is a romantic-comedy about Laida, a naive girl who dreams of meeting her prince charming named Miggy Montenegro. Miggy Montenegro is the youngest of the Montenegro clan—a well-established family in the business world. Her dream of meeting Miggy and working close to him happened when she applied and got accepted as Editorial Assistant in Miggy's magazine "Bachelor".

It's actually a fun movie and at the same time it did not lack emo moments. It is not a romantic-comedy for nothing, it is loaded with good laughs (sundance and the stick-notes in the cup). The team-up of Sarah and John Lloyd is exceptionally good and lighthearted. Sarah is a natural in this movie. She wasn't OA at all. Sends shivers to your spine - in a good way. A heartwarming story of learning how to love oneself, and here you would learn that the one who is actually in the way of your success is just - YOURSELF. Oh, and it's a clean movie.

Nice Lines:

“Pag mahal mo, mahal mo! Walang kasi kasi! Walang pero pero!”

Miggy: Mapapagod ka lang umasa.Mapapagod ka lang maghintay Mapapagod ka lang umasang mamahalin ka.
Laida: Kahit kailan hindi ako napagod mahalin ka. . . . . . ngayon lang!

“Basta ang mahalaga di ka pa ubos. Andyan ka pa rin. Para pag dumating yung taong magmamahal sa yo, may maibabalik ka pa.”

Miggy: Ang hirap eh. *does the sundance to stop the rain*
Laida: Mahirap? Yan mahirap? Subukan mo kayang magmahal ng taong katulad mo ng malaman mo kung anong mahirap”

Mamma Mia! - 2008

Category: Movies

Genre: Musical

Directed By: Phyllida Lloyd

Writer: Catherine Johnson (screenplay & playbook)
Tagline:

• A mother. A daughter. Three possible fathers. Take a trip down the aisle you'll never forget
• Sophie has just one wish, to meet her father......whichever one he is.
• With every wedding come a few surprises.
• Who said a wedding couldn't be this much fun?

Casts: Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Stellan Skarsgard, Pierce Brosnan, Nancy Baldwin, Colin Firth, Heather Emmanuel, Colin Davis, Rachel Mcdowall, Ashley Lilley, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Ricardo Montez, Mia Soteriou, Enzo Squillino Jr. and more.

This is a story of a 20 year old bride-to-be named Sophie who is looking for her father to give her away when she gets married. She chanced upon her mom's diary and there she found she had 3 possible fathers and she mailed the three to come to her wedding. And her mom doesn't know. The 3 immediately replied and arrived a day before the wedding.

I wasn't expecting it to turn out great but - IT IS. I had a fun time singing along with the hits from ABBA (Dancing Queen, I had a Dream, Money, Money, Money, and more). It was light hearted and very heartwarming. I soooo love the setting. I'm loving Greece even more!!! *swoons*

If you want singing and dancing...with a touch of love and romance.. I think this is the movie for you. And of course, teenagers would love it as much as the older generations would since it pictures both worlds. I enjoyed the stag party and the shower party. It was fun. Great Great Great! Brilliant! Feel good film. Whenever they sing "Dancing Queen" it would make you want to stand and dance to the beat... and all the songs actually remained and gave me an LSS a few days after watching it. :)

Lovely Lines:

Sky: It's my last night of freedom... which is what some might see it, but for me it's the last night before the greatest adventure of my life.

Sophie: [reading Donna's diary] We danced on the beach, kissed on the beach and dot, dot, dot.



seen aug. 3, 2008

Teen Idol - Meg Cabot

Category: Books

Genre: Chick Flick


Author: Meg Cabot


Overview and Review of Teen Idol by Meg Cabot.

May 10, 2008

A high school junior from Clayton High (Indiana) named Jenny Greenley is secretly the school newspaper's advice columnist "Ask Annie", a position she got due to her famous ability to keep other people's secrets and ability to give advices and help out. On the other hand, a teen star named Luke Striker is about to make a movie about high school, and since he is a star and grew up on TV, he really knows nothing about "a normal school life" and an ordinary teen lifestyle. He wanted to learn how it feels like being in High School and so Luke was to go to Clayton High. Clayton High's principal assigns Jenny to look after Luke and make sure no one else would know he is "Luke Striker". She was to show Luke around and all that.

and there the story begins.

This is so Meg-Cabot-ish. I like the "Ask Annie" portion in the book. This is a nice book with a twist in the end *to some it would be*. Very good for high school kids. oh and for Meg Cabot fans of course. Entertaining. As usual. Also teaches you how to stand up from what you believe in and doing something other than being neutral.

I read online it will be made into a movie.. Well.. we will see.

The Only Thing Between Us - Pamela Santos

Category: Book

Genre: Love

Author: Pamela Santos

Overview and Review of The Only Thing Between Us by Pamela Santos

image of the book: to follow

Finished reading: April 5, 2008.

This book actually started as a short story over at GirlTalk Forum where I used to frequent back in 2005 and I stumbled in Pam's short story. It's been making a scene over at Girl Talk and everyone's talking about "how kilig" and nice the story goes. So, almost everyone told Pamela Santos (including me) that we hope she makes it into a book. And now, the dream of Pamela Santos finally came true. It's published! And of course a few weeks after it was published (I have to order since SM Davao doesn't have the book yet) finally I have my very own copy.

This is a story of Bianca and Ryan who were childhood friends, and are often mistaken as boyfriend and girlfriend when they were in High School. They are the Best of Friends. But one day Ryan found Josephine and had her as his girlfriend and Bianca was even the bridge for the two of them to get together. Bianca wonders why she is jealous of Josephine and finds out she broke their golden rule: she is in love with Ryan.

A series of circumstances brings them away or back to each other's arms like meddling parents, friends, a golden rule, third-parties, a series of miscommunication, long distance or geographical differences, and a whole lot more. With everything that stands between them, the question is: "Would they finally end up together?"

If you've read a lot of novels and love stories that are pretty much Westernized and you like them, this would be different. It's a totally "pinoy" setting and everything about it screams "Pinay Pinay Pinay". Why? Because it sure shows a lot of things about being a Filipino, say for example: the meddling parents *we all know the reason for this and it's because they only want what is good for us* (so Pinoy di ba?), the reunions *with everybody in the clan present*, pasalubongs, the family outings during summer. A refreshing story to be "kilig" over at. Pamela sure knows where and when to capture a teenager's heart. It made me "kilig" a few times and if it weren't for all those books I've read I would've been "kilig" all the time. It has a unique ending and you would envy the friendship bond Bianca had with Ryan wishing you share the same thing with someone. This book makes you feel at home and warm at heart.

Juno - 2007

Category: Movies

Genre: Young Adult

Director: Jason Reitman

Writer: Diablo Cody *won an Oscar for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen*


Overview and REview of Juno directed by Jason Reitman.

Rated: PG 13

Cast of Characters: Ellen Page (Juno MacGuff), Michael Cera (Paulie Bleeker), Jennifer Garner (Vanessa Loring), Jason Bateman (Mark Loring), Allison Janney (Bren MacGuff), J.K. Simmons (Mac MacGuff), Olivia Thirlby (Leah)

Juno, a sixteen year old girl named after the wife of Zeus is the type who tends to be different thus never conforming to the rest of kids in her school. She is also sarcastic in a funny way and witty at the same time (I like her one-liners). She has a best friend named Paulie Bleeker who is a track racer. The two of them, Juno and Paulie are in the same band together. This movie started off with the two of them experimenting sexually at a couch for one time.

This movie is not good for people who are close minded. They would just look at the situation and freak out about it. But to most, it's actually a learning experience. Just look beyond the situation. The unconditional love the parents had for Juno and the undying support of Juno's best friend. It's like being pregnant without having to. It's fun in a dorky{no pun intended} kind of way.

I like the original songs they play, specially their theme song. Cute cute. I like the setting specially the "summertime" part(although I had trouble there because I thought those cherries bloom during spring, got my confirmation because it was one of the factual errors cited in IMDB). I also like the cinematography.

Lines *courtesy of IMDB*:

Juno: I'm pregnant.
Leah: What? Honest to blog?
Juno: Yeah. Yeah, it's Bleekers.
Leah: It's probably just a food baby. Did you have a big lunch?
Juno: No, this is not a food baby all right? I've taken like three pregnancy tests, and I'm forshizz up the spout.
Leah: How did you even generate enough pee for three pregnancy tests? That's amazing...
Juno: I don't know, I drank like, ten tons of Sunny D... Anyway dude, I'm telling you I'm pregnant and you're acting shockingly cavalier.
Leah: Is this for real? Like, for real for real?
Juno: Unfortunately, yes.
Leah: Oh my GOD. Oh shit! Phuket, Thailand!
Juno: There we go. That was kind of the emotion that I was searching for on the first take.

Vanessa: You think you're really going to do this?
Juno: Yea, if I could just have the thing and give it to you now, I totally would. But I'm guessing it looks probably like a sea monkey right now and we should let it get a little cuter.

*watched it April 3, 2008 with Ate Jill, Ate Kai, Yheyhe, Nuth2x @ home when we had a slumber party. Hehe.*

Enchanted Love - Marianne Williamson

Category: Book

Genre: Self-Help

Author: Marianne Williamson

Overview and Review of Enchanted Love a Guide to Intimate Relationships by Marianne Williamson.

It's a nice book, although I can't quite grasp some aspects in the book. Maybe, it's just too deep or something. It helped me clear out some baggages or questions I have about love this time. She would take you to another realm.

She's a great writer. She uses enchanting words and quite fit for the title. She uses a lot of picture language I have a hard time picturing out.

I recommend this book to people who are having trouble with their partners, are stuck from a past love, wants to fall in love, divorced people, people who are in and out of relationships sometimes. It's not a how-to book but somehow it sheds a lot of light to what you are going through. It can lighten up your load.

Happy, Enchanting Love!

SVU Thriller Edition - Killer at Sea

Category: Book

Genre: Thriller

Creator: Francine Pascal

Overview and Review of Sweet Valley University's Thriller Edition entitled Killer at Sea created by Francine Pascal.

Jessica Wakefield and Nick Fox went sailing spontaneously. Nick Fox wanted to be away from his work as a detective because his recent case went haywire and he wasn't feeling up to par. His boss gave him a break to unwind.

Elizabeth Wakefield was deeply troubled of leaving Jessica to Nick that time because Nick was in a bad mood. The gut feeling of a twin sister is taking it's toll. Little did they know Jessica and Nick would pick up to help the guy at sea.

Entertaining. With an air of a "this-should-be-a-tv-series". Not one of SVU's best but equally entertaining.

Nick: You don't need make-up! Who's crazy enough to bring mascara on a sailing trip?
Jessica: Give me a little credit, Nick. It's waterproof.

Into the Garden - V.C. Andrews

Category: Books


Genre: Psychological


Author: V.C. Andrews

Overview and Review of Into the Garden by V.C. Andrews

The fifth book of the series Wildflowers.

Four teenage girls named Misty, Jade, Star and Cat first came together in Dr. Marlowe's group therapy sessions. They began trusting each other for their most kept secret. They unraveled and shared their story to the rest of the girls bravely. But then Dr. Marlowe's group therapy sessions ended and they did not know whether they would see each other.

This book is narrated by Cat and is based on her own perspective. She kind of played the major role in this book.

Once again the four decided to come together one more time minus Dr. Marlowe and shared a pact with each other, that the four would share the REAL TRUTH and nothing but the truth to each other, and to hide no secrets. They called themselves OWP's (Orphan's with Parents).

It's kind of unthinkable what the four did in this story and managed to get away with it in the end thanks to Dr. Marlowe. I was completely mollified as to what they would do to their situation.

But the story ended pretty well though. Unpredictable plot. :)

Are You Uptown or Downtown?

You Are Midtown

You love so many things, you don't fit into any one label. Your city girl persona goes to a fancy restaurant one night and a dive bar the next.

Are You Uptown or Downtown?

Are You A Gold Digger?

You Are Not a Gold Digger

You go out of your way to take care of everything in your life. Including money - which you've got plenty of, thank you very much. And you have no intentions of being a trophy girlfriend for some bald guy. Just make sure that hottie you met isn't scheming to be your boy toy! As a successful woman like you knows, gold digging goes both ways these days.

Are You A Gold Digger?

What Kind of Handbag Are You?

You Are a Classic Gucci Bag

You've got style mastered - because you stick with what works Like this Gucci Bag, you prefer classic items that stand the test of time You're also a bit of a practical girl, who prefers function over fluff You prefer a big bag, so that you can have your stuff with you at all times

What Handbag Are You?

What Shoe Are You?

You are Barefoot!

You're a total free spirit, go with the flow girl You can't be restricted by shoes for very long And unsuprisingly, the same goes for men Your match is out there - and he's as carefree as you are

What Kind of Shoe Are You?

Are You a Girl or Woman?

You Are A Girl!

Are you ever serious? Well, you're seriously playful. And guys are attracted to your girlish spirit and all the fun that follows. Your girlish, temper, however... well, they could live without that. Not to worry though, you never stay upset for long. It's off to the next adventure.

Are You A Girl Or a Woman?

Are You Confident?

You're Confident...Sometimes

You can seem confident when the occasion calls for it But inside you may be experiencing a bit of self doubt A little more inner confidence could take you far... And convince others that you're as confident as you try to seem

Are You Confident?

Are You Attractive?

You Attract A Good Amount of Guys

While you may not get the most offers in the room, You've got a good thing going - dating wise You could flirt more and dress up a bit to attract more guys But in general, you are doing just fine!

Are You Attractive?