Sunday, January 30, 2011
Megamind
So, a few months back in the dog days of summer, my girlfriends and I went to go see Megamind. I fully expected to be bored to tears watching a little kid's film, so I was really surprised by how much I loved it! It was super cute, and the animation was great. It had some great funny moments, and who could deny how adorable Megamind is? Tina Fey did a nice job as Roxanne Ritchi and overall the acting was very good. It won't be winning any awards anytime soon but it was a very sweet film and I really enjoyed it. Definately on my birthday list!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Les Miserables
My dad had begged me for years to read this French classic, but what really got me on it was reading the super-abridged version in French class. So I decided to have a crack at the full-length English version that's been looming in one of our many bookshelves for years. Inside I found an indiscernible note and a 30 year old bus ticket that made a nice bookmark. But on to the story!
Like most teenagers these days, I had my trepidations about settling in to read a classic, especially one that looked thick enough to knock someone out with. But, being the avid reader that I am (and perhaps wanting some bragging rights) I forged ahead. At first, the book seemed to be headed no where, and I slogged through long descriptions of the tiny French village of Digne, but it was well written, and encouraged me to keep going.
Enter Jean Valjean, ex-convict and man who's soul is on the line. Imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving family, Jean Valjean has recently been granted parole. I won't give anything away, but I must say Valjean has moved onto my list of best literary characters of all time. He's deeply troubled, but has an inherent goodness to him that makes him someone you wish you knew. He always tries to do the right thing, and I found myself silently cheering him on as he struggled with his criminal past, and the officer intent on tracking him down: the infamous Inspector Javert.
Although Javert is loathsome in personality, I thoroughly enjoyed him as well, and was somewhat shocked as to how his part in the story ended (Again, I refrain from spoilers). He made an excellent villain, and the cat-and-mouse play between himself and Valjean kept me on the edge of my seat as Valjean maneuvered his way out of impossible situations, a few times with an orphaned girl (the lovely Cosette) on his back.
The love story between Marius and Cosette is very sweet and touching, but it was the effects of losing Cosette that befell Valjean that interested me the most. He truly grew to love her as a daughter and losing her ultimately was worse for him than returning to the Gallares.
So, was this book an easy read? Definitely not. I don't recommend it for the casual reader. But for those of you with some literary prowess under your belt, and a lot of free time, I fully support this. It has well-earned it's place amongst the classics.
They were...les miserables.
Side note: The Hunger Games poll was a tie between Rue and Haymitch.
Like most teenagers these days, I had my trepidations about settling in to read a classic, especially one that looked thick enough to knock someone out with. But, being the avid reader that I am (and perhaps wanting some bragging rights) I forged ahead. At first, the book seemed to be headed no where, and I slogged through long descriptions of the tiny French village of Digne, but it was well written, and encouraged me to keep going.
Enter Jean Valjean, ex-convict and man who's soul is on the line. Imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving family, Jean Valjean has recently been granted parole. I won't give anything away, but I must say Valjean has moved onto my list of best literary characters of all time. He's deeply troubled, but has an inherent goodness to him that makes him someone you wish you knew. He always tries to do the right thing, and I found myself silently cheering him on as he struggled with his criminal past, and the officer intent on tracking him down: the infamous Inspector Javert.
Although Javert is loathsome in personality, I thoroughly enjoyed him as well, and was somewhat shocked as to how his part in the story ended (Again, I refrain from spoilers). He made an excellent villain, and the cat-and-mouse play between himself and Valjean kept me on the edge of my seat as Valjean maneuvered his way out of impossible situations, a few times with an orphaned girl (the lovely Cosette) on his back.
The love story between Marius and Cosette is very sweet and touching, but it was the effects of losing Cosette that befell Valjean that interested me the most. He truly grew to love her as a daughter and losing her ultimately was worse for him than returning to the Gallares.
So, was this book an easy read? Definitely not. I don't recommend it for the casual reader. But for those of you with some literary prowess under your belt, and a lot of free time, I fully support this. It has well-earned it's place amongst the classics.
They were...les miserables.
Side note: The Hunger Games poll was a tie between Rue and Haymitch.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Hunger Games
What can I say beside: Most incredible trilogy I've ever read. The Hunger Games is the perfect blend of tragedy, action, moral questions and heart-rending love story all blended together in a post-apocolyptic world where 12 Districts are spread across what remains of North America and the Capitol rules all.
Katniss Everdeen, our 16 year old heroine in the first book, member of District 12, the coal mining district (located in the Appalacian Mountains) voulenteers to take her sister's place at the reaping for an even known at the Hunger Games. Every year, as a reminder of the rebellion the Districts once instated, the Capitol runs the Hunger Games. Every district must send two children, one boy and one girl to compete in the Hunger Games, an annual fight to the death on live television. Only the victor surivives, to be the mentor to the next year's tributes.
Let's analyze some of the components, shall we? First off, the plot/idea. This is a brilliant idea, a terrifying version of reality that promises a heart-pounding adventure. It unfolds with just the right amount of breath-taking action scenes, dramatic twists and turns, moral questions and quite moments before the next storm. There are one or two flat chapters throughout the trilogy, but you're always being fed valuable information even if it isn't the most excititing. I, a fan of anything macabre, was of course excited by the idea of a post-apocolypitic world hosting what are esentially gladiator games for kids. But Susan Collins doesn't get in your face with the violence. Sure, there are some gruesome moments, to be sure (it is the Games, after all!) but she doesn't go into stomach-churning detail, or include more than nececary.
The charecters, the backbone of the story, were masterfully crafted. Katniss is scrappy, determined and couragous. She isn't afraid to do what needs to be done to survive. She's clever and a masterful hunter, yet she is compassionate. She takes Prim's place in the Reaping. She teams up with a girl who can't possibly help her, but who needs protection. She sings her to her death when she's attacked. Katniss is definately a badass, but she isn't heartless. And she's not perfect. She is a deeply flawed person, which allows me to really relate. Peeta is just the sweetest guy! He's very much an artists, and often adds a measure of thought and sanity to this crazy world. He's the perfect counter to Katniss's fire, balancing out her anger with a gentle touch. Haymitch is just hilarious. Loved him. The charecters in this book all have distinct, flawed personalities that have this ability to draw you in, make you see things from their view.
I've read some of Suzanne Collins' work before, but none of it left me desperate for more like the Hunger Games did. This is clearly her magnum opus, a masterpeice of art. Some liken it to Twilight, which is riduculous, as they're about as much alike as a chocolate cake and a rotten bannana peel. The book is being made into a movie later this year or the next, and promises to be a stunner. If I can impart anything on you by your reading of this blog, let it be this: Read the Hunger Games!!
Also, if you enjoy fanfiction, I have a Hunger Games one: Flight of a Broken Mockingjay on deviantart.com and fanfiction.net
May the odds be ever in your favor (Effie Trinket)
Katniss Everdeen, our 16 year old heroine in the first book, member of District 12, the coal mining district (located in the Appalacian Mountains) voulenteers to take her sister's place at the reaping for an even known at the Hunger Games. Every year, as a reminder of the rebellion the Districts once instated, the Capitol runs the Hunger Games. Every district must send two children, one boy and one girl to compete in the Hunger Games, an annual fight to the death on live television. Only the victor surivives, to be the mentor to the next year's tributes.
Let's analyze some of the components, shall we? First off, the plot/idea. This is a brilliant idea, a terrifying version of reality that promises a heart-pounding adventure. It unfolds with just the right amount of breath-taking action scenes, dramatic twists and turns, moral questions and quite moments before the next storm. There are one or two flat chapters throughout the trilogy, but you're always being fed valuable information even if it isn't the most excititing. I, a fan of anything macabre, was of course excited by the idea of a post-apocolypitic world hosting what are esentially gladiator games for kids. But Susan Collins doesn't get in your face with the violence. Sure, there are some gruesome moments, to be sure (it is the Games, after all!) but she doesn't go into stomach-churning detail, or include more than nececary.
The charecters, the backbone of the story, were masterfully crafted. Katniss is scrappy, determined and couragous. She isn't afraid to do what needs to be done to survive. She's clever and a masterful hunter, yet she is compassionate. She takes Prim's place in the Reaping. She teams up with a girl who can't possibly help her, but who needs protection. She sings her to her death when she's attacked. Katniss is definately a badass, but she isn't heartless. And she's not perfect. She is a deeply flawed person, which allows me to really relate. Peeta is just the sweetest guy! He's very much an artists, and often adds a measure of thought and sanity to this crazy world. He's the perfect counter to Katniss's fire, balancing out her anger with a gentle touch. Haymitch is just hilarious. Loved him. The charecters in this book all have distinct, flawed personalities that have this ability to draw you in, make you see things from their view.
I've read some of Suzanne Collins' work before, but none of it left me desperate for more like the Hunger Games did. This is clearly her magnum opus, a masterpeice of art. Some liken it to Twilight, which is riduculous, as they're about as much alike as a chocolate cake and a rotten bannana peel. The book is being made into a movie later this year or the next, and promises to be a stunner. If I can impart anything on you by your reading of this blog, let it be this: Read the Hunger Games!!
Also, if you enjoy fanfiction, I have a Hunger Games one: Flight of a Broken Mockingjay on deviantart.com and fanfiction.net
May the odds be ever in your favor (Effie Trinket)
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Lockdown- Escape from Furnace
Looking for an action packed thriller, with frightening beasts and prison gangs? Lockdown- Escape from Furnace is that book. Non-stop action pulses through this book, about a young teenage boy framed for murder and sent to Furnace Penitentiary, the toughest prison in existence for kids under 18. Strange creatures kidnap people from their cells in the middle of the night, massive dogs with vicious teeth patrol the hallways and murderous gangs with shanks build power. In the midst of all this, Alex, our protagonist, fights to find the impossible: an escape from Furnace.
This book is awesome! Solitary, the next one in the series, recently came out in hardback, and I am eager to appropriate it. Alex, while not a murderer, is no teacher's pet. He's a thief, and it was that that got him in trouble in the first place. But he does an extraordinary amount of growing throughout the book, and is all-in-all very likable.
Escape from Furnace is fast-paced, never letting up or slowing down. However, unlike Maze Runner, the plot doesn't seemed rushed. Everything fits into place, and you find yourself up into the late hours of the night, cheering Alex on, holding your breath as he attempts to fend off the horrors of Furnace. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes action. Beneath heaven is hell. Beneath hell is Furnace. (The Warden)
This book is awesome! Solitary, the next one in the series, recently came out in hardback, and I am eager to appropriate it. Alex, while not a murderer, is no teacher's pet. He's a thief, and it was that that got him in trouble in the first place. But he does an extraordinary amount of growing throughout the book, and is all-in-all very likable.
Escape from Furnace is fast-paced, never letting up or slowing down. However, unlike Maze Runner, the plot doesn't seemed rushed. Everything fits into place, and you find yourself up into the late hours of the night, cheering Alex on, holding your breath as he attempts to fend off the horrors of Furnace. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes action. Beneath heaven is hell. Beneath hell is Furnace. (The Warden)
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Leviathan
I recently got Behemoth, the second book in the Leviathan series by Scott Westerfeld (also the author of Uglies, which I loved) and Behemoth impressed me every bit as much as the first book, Leviathan. It was full of attitude from Deryn, a girl posed as a boy in the British Royal Air Navy and heavy life questions from Alek, a Hapsburg prince on the run from Germans and their Clanker war machines. The drawings in the book were absolutely amazing, and I actually put the picture of the behemoth as the background on my computer.
Also, we get to see the Ottoman Empire at the time of WWI and Dr. Barlow's eggs finally hatch, with highly unexpected results! An Ottoman underground shows us Lilit, a young woman who is a remarkable fighter and a fierce feminist. This proves awkward when she develops a crush on "Dylan"!
These books are amazing, and I recommend them strongly if you haven't read them before. If you have, post and tell me what you think! Also by Mr. Westerfeld is the Uglies series, which I also immensely enjoyed. I'll have to do a separate review on those though ;)
Also, we get to see the Ottoman Empire at the time of WWI and Dr. Barlow's eggs finally hatch, with highly unexpected results! An Ottoman underground shows us Lilit, a young woman who is a remarkable fighter and a fierce feminist. This proves awkward when she develops a crush on "Dylan"!
These books are amazing, and I recommend them strongly if you haven't read them before. If you have, post and tell me what you think! Also by Mr. Westerfeld is the Uglies series, which I also immensely enjoyed. I'll have to do a separate review on those though ;)
Maze Runner
Alright, last night I finished Maze Runner. And I hated it as much as I thought I would at the start, but I had to find out what happens. First off, I don't get why Thomas was always bashing Alby. The kid had been through a lot and I liked him, more than Mr. Wonderboy Thomas anyway. Teresa I still despise, and I hate Thomas with the same burning passion. They're both perfect, attractive, brilliant, level-headed, brave, tough...and a couple. It makes me want to puke. Newt and Minho are way cooler! And *spoiler* why did Alby have to die? He was so much better than Model-girl Teresa. And Chuck...Why couldn't it have been Thomas?!*end spoilers*
All in all, the book was awful. The idea was good, but rushed and I hated the charecters. Unless you enjoy Mary-Sues and a long story squeezed into a short space, I'd leave that book on the shelf.
All in all, the book was awful. The idea was good, but rushed and I hated the charecters. Unless you enjoy Mary-Sues and a long story squeezed into a short space, I'd leave that book on the shelf.
Friday, January 7, 2011
I'm Back!
So, it's been AGES since I posted last, I admit that. I kinda got discouraged because no one ever commented, but hey! I'm gonna keep posting anyway. I wanted to talk about my latest obsession: The Hunger Games! For those of you who don't know, they're a dystopian book series by Suzanne Collins, set in the future. They're epic and amazing and have lots of action mixed with a deep message and a stirring love story that isn't all sappy or unrealistic (*cough* TWILIGHT! *cough*) Director Gary Ross is making it into a movie he hopes to rate at PG-13. There's more information at GirlonFire.blogspot.com. Check it out man, it's wicked.
On the flip side, I've been reading Maze Runner. Yuck. Good ideas, but rushed and poorly portrayed. Also chalk full of Mary-Sues and one-dimensional charecters. I really hate Teresa and I hope she and Thomas are related so they can't be together. I'd rather see her with Newt, if she has to live at all.
This Christmas I got leather boots and a flip, so I might be posting some dorky little videos every now and then ;)
On the flip side, I've been reading Maze Runner. Yuck. Good ideas, but rushed and poorly portrayed. Also chalk full of Mary-Sues and one-dimensional charecters. I really hate Teresa and I hope she and Thomas are related so they can't be together. I'd rather see her with Newt, if she has to live at all.
This Christmas I got leather boots and a flip, so I might be posting some dorky little videos every now and then ;)
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