The Last Airbender - 2010

Category: Animation / Movie

Genre: Fantasy 

Writer: M. Night Shyamalan

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Producer: Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Movies, Blinding Edge Pictures

Cast: Noah Ringer, Dev Patel, Nicola Peltz, Jackson Rathbone, Shaun Toub, Aasif Mandvi, Cliff Curtis, Seychelle Gabriel, Katharine Houghton, Francis Guinan and more

Tagline: Four nations, one destiny


The world is divided into four kingdoms, Water, Air, Fire, Earh. The story follows the adventures of Aang of the kingdom Air, a young successor to a long line of Avatars, the only being linked to the Spirit World and the only one who is capable to master all four elements.

Awww  I LIKE IT! I heard about how other people thinks it sucks and all that. But, I actually love it. Well, anything magical even though it is predictable... is amusing for me. (Just came back from Aletheia - a 3 week workshop and I can clearly connect the dots of what we discussed and the things that came up in the movie). Anyway, for everybody's sake I haven't seen the original cartoon series, so I can't really say anything bad about it. :)

Although the film did feel like it was rushed and character development was poor... but the action scenes were equally riveting. :) Great musical score as well!! :)

Quotes I Like:

Iroh: There are reasons each of us are born. we have to find those reasons.

Gran: He will begin to change hearts, and it is in the heart that all wars are won.

Chalet Girl - 2011

Category: Movie

Genre: Chick Flick

Director: Phil Traill

Writer: Tom Williams

Producer: UK Film Council, Aegis Film Fund, Prescience

Cast: Felicity Jones, Ed Westwick, Bill Nighy, Brooke Shields, Tamsin Egerton, Bill Bailey,  Sophia Bush,

Kim Matthews (Felicity Jones) who is 19, used to be a champion skateboarder. She was traumatized by her mom's death causing her to stop her love for skateboarding. Now, she is stuck in a small time job trying to support her Dad. But, then opportunity came knocking on her door and swept her off to an exclusive chalet in the Alps. And there she would meet her handsome, rich, engaged boss, named Jonny (Ed Westwick).

It looks like a drab movie at the opening credits.... and I was thinking whether to push thru with the movie or not. However it has a tinge touch of humor thrown here and there specially by the lead female which actually made me stick. By the middle, I was getting in touch with the story.

I like Tamsin Egerton here she looks like one of my friends Czar. The way she moves and speaks.. haha. :) cute. Entertaining albeit predictable.

Avatar - 2009

Category: Movie

Genre: Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi

Writers: James Cameron

Director: James Cameron

Producer: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Dune Entertainment, Ingenious Film Partners

Tagline: Enter the World

Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Joel Moore, Giovanne Ribisi, Michelle Rodriguez, Laz Alonso and more.

An overview and review of the movie Avatar written and directed by James Cameron.

When his brother was killed, Jake Sully, a paraplegic war veteran, took his place and was brought to another planet called Pandora. Pandora is inhabited by the Na'vi, a different race with their own language and culture. Their mission was to mine for the precious material scattered throughout Pandora's rich woodland. Those from Earth find themselves at odds with each other and the local culture.

It's one great movie and was even the first of it's kind. There was much controversy about the $400 M budget of the film but you have to say it was an artistic feat. And to say it was an artistic feat could probably be an understatement. The World in Avatar was done in great detail and you have to commend the detail and attention they placed into it.

I also enjoyed the message of the movie. Although, a lot of people in the box would think this is some "anti-church" since there was "nature worship" involved. Also, it might be a predictable storyline.


But, come on guys. We are evolving back to the olden ways. :) It was mystical... and enchanting. The land of the Na'vi's. It even made people get the "PAD" or post avatar depression. It did not depress me though.. it showed me a world the Earth can be.... if we respect it. :)

Neytiri: Our great mother Eywa does not take sides, Jake; only protects the balance of life.
Jake Sully: It was worth a shot.

Moat: It is decided. My daughter will teach you our ways. Learn well, "Jakesully", and we will see if your insanity can be cured.

Jake Sully: Well, if I'm like a child, then maybe you should teach me.
Neytiri: Sky People can not learn, you do not see.
Jake Sully: Then teach me how to see.
Neytiri: No one can teach you to see.

Avatar is one beautiful, revolutionary, innovative, extraordinary film that would leave you imagining the glow-in-the dark, nature-filled world. :)

Sunshine - 2007

Category: Movies

Genre: Science Fiction / Sci-Fi

Director: Danny Boyle

Tagline: If the sun dies. So do we. Dark Days are coming....

Casts: Cliff Curtis, Chippo Chung, Cillian Murphy, Michelle Yeoh, Hiroyuki Sanada, Rose Byrne, Benedict Wong, Chris Evans, Troy Garity, Mark Strong and more..

Overview and Review of Sunshine Directed by Danny Boyle.

Year 2057, the crew of the Icarus 2 (group of ethnically diverse astronauts) were sent into deep space to reignite the sun, after the failure of the first mission, Icarus 1. Along the way something went wrong that would lead to a series of events.... Can they make it in time to save the dying sun???

It's a nice sci-fi movie with an unexpected twist by the near end. I wasn't expecting Michelle Yeoh to be here. It has nice characters, interesting dialogues, and of course the effects. I wasn't entirely impressed but there's something with the story though.

The Happening - 2008

Category: Movie

Genre: Mystery Writer/Director/Producer: M. Night Shyamalan

Tagline: We've Sensed It. We've Seen The Signs. Now... It's Happening.

Casts: Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, John Leguizamo, Ashlyn Sanchez, Betty Buckley and more.

Rated R for violent and disturbing images.

Overview and Review of The Happening written, produced and directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

"If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live."
-- Albert Einstein

Elliot Moore (Mark Wahlberg) is a science teacher here and he appeared while he was on a science lecture with students. Apparently, strange things have been occurring and people were fleeing from Godknowswhat and with them was Elliot and Alma Moore, Julian and Jess.

M. Night Shyamalan wanted this movie to be natural as possible. Neat and Old School. Going back before computers and technology were invented and when it was just all about "directing and storytelling". That's why a lot said, it was dull because it lacked the technology which was actually the point of the whole movie. "A 2008 version of a 1950's paranoia." - from The Happening.

Very troubling and kinda insane, a bit gory that I have to shield my eyes from the screen. Man, I just don't have the guts to watch disturbing scenes such as what Shyamalan presented in "The Happening".

People might see it as monotonous because it lacked action but for me it has it's own approach that is totally different from other movies *and indeed it is different* - one thing is that it makes you think. It's a "What If?" situation. It could be possible. It's actually one wake up call from nature and a different wake up call at that. It's not tsunami or a high intensity earthquake or a volcano erupting... but much more disturbing than what I just mentioned.

For people who are into "action" this movie is not for you. and for people who wants to think... and loves "what-if's" scenarios this one is for you.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - 2008

Category: Movies

Genre: Adventure

Director: Steven Spielberg

Casts: Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Shia Labeouf, Ray Winston, and more.

Overview and Review of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull directed by Steven Spielberg.

I thought this was a remake but I found out it's actually the Fourth Installment of the Indiana Jones Adventures. I never got around to watch the first 3 installments even though it's just lying in my parent's room for months already.

The famous archaeologist/adventurer Dr. Henry Walton Jones also known as "Indiana" / "Indy" (Harrison Ford) is called back into action, year 1957 when he becomes entangled in a Soviet plot to uncover the secret behind the mysterious artifacts known as the Crystal Skulls.

It opens with Indy, kidnapped by a team of KGB agents led by a Russian scientist (Cate Blanchett) who wants to know everything,and was taken to the same vast Nevada government warehouse where it is said that the Part 1, "Raiders of the Lost Ark," ended.

This time it is not the lost Ark they are looking for. They're after the remains of a flying-saucer crash that contains a clue to what the Russians really want: and this is the Mayan crystal skull with a supernatural power of mind control (hence, the Russian Scientist... wanting to know everything).

What i like about this movie is that it is full of impossible stunts and the humor that made the Indiana Jones series such a phenomenon of its time. It also contained some thrills and suspense making you squirm in your chair or whatever you are sitting on. It has lots of goofy oftentimes cheesy action that kids love (even moi!).

If you are into adventures and all that.. this one is for you. this film is fun in it's own way.

May 25, 2008

Dance With Me - Luanne Rice

Category: Book

Genre: Family

Author: Luanne Rice

Overview and Review of Dance With Me by Luanne Rice.

A very heartwarming story.

It's a story about a woman named Jane who had a baby even before she finished her college and her mom Margaret made a decision to have the baby and have it in for adoption so as she can finish her studies.

Little did Margaret realize that having a baby would always change a woman. Life would never be the same. Jane quit college, bearing with her heart the baby she would never have. She then became a baker and was New York's most loved bakery - Calamity Bakery.

She poured out her love for her baby when she bakes. Everything she bakes were all a reminder for her baby.

Now, she's back from New York. Her mother, Margaret is sick. With only Jane and Sylvie as family, they have to pitch in and help each other. While doing so, being back to Rhode Island means cleaning the family ghosts. Partly why Jane is back was for a chance to connect with her child. Her darling little child - Chloe.

I love the story. It tells about cats dancing in the silver moonlight, of apple trees and spring, apple pies and summer, deers, dolphins and sharks, of stars in the attic (a nice metaphor), of barn dances and the music.

Related Reviews:

• Follow the Stars Home
• Safe Harbor
• Dream Country
• Cloud Nine
• Firefly Beach

Myst - Book of Atrus - Rand & Robyn Miller, David Wingrove

Category: Books

Genre: Adventure

Authors: Rand Miller, Robyn Miller and David Wingrove.

Review and overview of the first book of MYST entitled the BOOK OF ATRUS written by Rand Miller, Robyn Miller and David Wingrove.

I bought this book because of it's attractive cover. Very Myst-erious and intriguing. This book is based on a popular CD-ROM game and set in the same universe as the game by Cyan Worlds. This is the first book of the series "MYST".

This first book of the series provides a lot of background of the history of D'ini and the characters of the CD-ROM game. By the title of the book the main character of the story is Atrus. The story begins with the birth of Atrus and his mother dying on childbirth where his father Gehn left him(Atrus the baby) to his grandmother Anna. Atrus grew up not knowing his father. Meanwhile, Anna's been teaching her grandson the nature of the Earth and it's guiding principles. Anna is the wise woman here who taught Atrus to respond to his nature and not to violate it.

If you are a person who loves adventures, well this is one book for you. What's good about it is that it comes with values and lifelong principles.
It's a very enriching book which would teach you a lot about what is good and what is to be valued, the truths that cannot be shaken or changed. A book about acting selflessly which leads you to act well for all. Very nice book. Lovely words.... and lovely conversations with Anna and Atrus. I enjoyed it...

The Covenant by James A. Michener

Overview and Review of The Covenant by James A. Michener

Category: Books

Genre: Fiction

Author: James A. Michener

Page Count: 1235 pages.

A long saga of families of different descent.

• Nxumulo’s from the Zulu clan (blacks), who are inhabitants of a peaceful village unchanged for centuries until Dutch settlers intertwined with them.
• Tha Java-born Van Doorn’s who were separated into two clans. The Trianorn Van Doorn and the Boer (Voortrekkers) Van Doorn.
• Saltwoods of Salisbury, England… who were wealthy spice merchants, missionaries, and settlers of South Africa… and later a Saltwood from America.

This is about how South Africa came to be where different people fought for the land.

The Dutch settlers who came to be the Boers led by the Van Doorns fought against the English when they were oppressed, fought against the Xhosa’s (black tribe), and later the whole black colony.

First part talks pretty much about slavery. The Boers always believed that they were brought by God in covenant to keep the place away from other people (English, Blacks and Coloureds) and defend it no matter what like the Israelites. They believe their society should be in order, and that certain people, like whites were to rule and others like the blacks were to serve and be slaves forever. Things gradually change… views…. from farming to mining to sports to diamonds and more.

Opinion: I have sided from one family to another most of the time because as new generations their ways and beliefs does not change while the world does…. and some are not applicable to the present life they have. The Dutch here were pretty much racists and even thought those Hottentots and Bushmen (they killed ALL the bushmen) were not humans. Tsk…. Tsk.. My heart ached for the unjust ways of treating the blacks and coloureds in the end…. *sigh*

Safe Harbor - Luanne Rice

OVERVIEW and SUMMARY of Safe Harbor by Luanne Rice

Category: Books

Genre: Family

Author: Luanne Rice

Tagline: “No matter where life takes you, you’ll always come home…”

About two sisters Dana and Lily Underhill who loved to do everything together, both are gifted with painting. Dana a free-spirited woman who is so into adventures. Lily on the other hand loves home and gardening and of course painting flowers and vines as well.

When they were young, they taught SAILING at Newport and befriended an 8-yr.-old boy and taught him for free to sail.

Years after….

Dana resides in France and has been around the world while Lily keeps asking her to settle down near where she lives. Then, on a calm, moonlit night an accident occured and Dana was called home to Hubbard’s Point to become the mother of her two young nieces, Quinn and Allie.

As the three of them struggle to begin a new life - while finding the truth about what really happened to Lily and his husband Mark, help comes in the person of an old childhood friend. The 8-year old boy Dana and Lily taught to sail (and saved his life) has now grown tall, a striking Marine bioligist, who has been in love with Dana for years.

A story of motherhood, sisterhood and love. Heartwarming.

I like the way Luanne writes, the way she weaves her characters. All her stories (so far, Ive read two of her novels)have simple settings. Nothing flashy, just heartwarming. The prescence and constant mention of dolphins and mermaids to most of her books…… making me love it even more. I’ve noticed she mentions characters from other books, somehow the people in her different books are connected to each other.

Related Reviews

• Follow the Stars Home
• Dream Country
• Cloud Nine
• Firefly Beach
• Dance With Me
  

The Core 2003

OVERVIEW and SUMMARY of The CORE

Category: MOVIE

Genre: Science Fiction

Directed by\: Jon Amiel

Tagline: The only way out is in.

First scenes: A number of people died within a ten-block radius….

Strange things are happening: Birds loosing the navigational ability…. and people dying on the first part, intrigued them.

Which lead them to assume that it has something to do with the electromagnetic impulse.

A team of six (6) “terranauts” was formed to drill down to the Earth’s core and attempt to restart the rotation of the core.

Obviously, in movies like this only two gets back up alive, killing the rest on the expedition. And just like in any other movie…. the black person dies as well.. which was again so obvious - and pretty sad at the same time.

Cold Sea Rising - Richard Moran

Summary and Review of Cold Sea Rising by Richard Moran

Category: Books
Genre: Adventure & Nature
Author: Richard Moran

Richard Moran has a good writing style minus the high falluting words. You can understand how each scene is being described right away. Your imagination fires up. A fast read because the words just flow easily and so you can read and finish fast.

A page-turner and it fills you with suspense as each event unfolds.

Here is the sitch: A massive volcano from the land at the bottom of the Earth has cut loose the ROSS ICE SHELF the size of Spain. Imagine, a floating berg the size of Spain and it drifts to warmer places and it would melt and the estimated rise of sea level would be twenty point six feet, which would drown all the ports of the world.

When Russians learned about this, the Russian defense minister named Savin suggested that they take over the Ross Ice Shelf that is drifting and have a floating harbour that would make everyone fall under them. The General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet named Romanov (the leader of Russia) did not agree to this but he was overtaken by the Presidium to make it possible. Savin is a power greedy person, prepared to make others die for his cause, for Russia to be on top.

The U.S. learned about this and another political underdog, the security adviser of the President of the U.S. manipulated and reasoned to the President that the only way was to give out a “leak” to the New York Times that they will use their laser weapons that could turn all the 5,000 Mongolian/Russian soldiers into ashes once they started the descend at the ROSS Ice Shelf.

When the whole world learned about this… every country thought it was the end of the world. Old issues were renewed. Old fights were triggered. The two superpowers (US and Russia) were like declaring war, and everyone thought it’s world war three starting. Sudden outbreak of brush fires from Africa to Indonesia. The laser threat had the world believing that it’s the end of the world and that man is on the edge of Armageddon. The feeling of scores of countries would be “The end is near. It’s time to settle scores once and for all.”.

South African guerillas under Nukomo are preapring to cross the border of Botswana and march on Pretoria. Radio Indonesia has announced renewd insurgent attacks against several cities and military posts on its outer islands. In South America gunboat fire has been exchanged between Chile and Argentina over those islands they’re claiming at the tip of the continent.

It actually mentions the Philippines. In this story the Philippines gets hit by a Tsunami wave caused by a nuclear that was released by a Russian submarine named Mezen. Actually it’s not just a Tsunami it’s a 280 foot wall of radioactive water. Rawr. Russians.

The Philippine government had declared a state of emergency and ordered it’s citizens to evacuate the vulnerable shores from Mindanao to Luzon.

Although the back of the Tsunami had been broken against the shores of New Guinea, an immense surge of radioactive meltwater continued to wash north toward the Philippines, China, and Japan.

For almost an hour McCoy conducted radiophone interviews with government disaster directors in Manila, Singapore, and Tokyo.

*when the crisis was over and everything was resolved by Rankin and McCoy underwater the whole West rejoiced and stooped evacuating but…*

The broadcasts from Shanghai, Sydney and Manila were far more somber as the monitor showed the devastation wrought by the Antarctic Tsunami.

It’s actually a good book. But I don’t like the part when Melissa died to get her work underwater because she left it. I want Melissa and Josh to be reunited and not some Ukranian woman named Anya be the one who ended up with Josh. Oh well, it’s not my story. It’s Richard Moran’s.

The Loop - Nicholas Evans

Summary & REVIEW of The Loop by Nicholas Evans

Category: Books
Genre: Outdoors & Nature
Author: Nicholas Evans

This book is about wolves. I like the way he ended the story… although I cried for the sad life that Mr. Buck Calder ended up with. He seemed so sad losing his family and all that.

You would learn how to appreciate animals, specially the wolves even more. That they are still living creatures and we should not slay them for killing the livestocks.

Here you would know that everyone is connected to each other in a loop.

“Where once there had been life, now was death. And out of death, thus, was life sustained. And in that bloody compact, both the living and the dead were joined in a loop as ancient and immutable as the moon that arced above them.”

I like this funny conversation:

Clyde: I was talking to that outfitter fella, Pete Neuberg, you know? Says it’s been one of the worst hunting seasons in years. Elk and deer numbers are way down he says. He blames the wolves.
Kathy: I hear, they’re to blame for the weather too. *rolling her eyes*
Charlie: How can wolves be blamed for the weather?
Lucy: It was a joke, dumbo. *giving Charlie a shove*
Buck: What do you think Helen?
Helen: About them being to blame for the weather?

Eleanor: At least theyre not eating cattle anymore.
Doug: They never ate mine.
Luke: Maybe yours dont taste good.

I liked the part when Helen and Celia were talking and arguing while swimming clutching their wineglasses.

This is a must read and a great book.

“All that matter is NOW…. and you just need to BE”