tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14032839815784473412024-03-28T07:36:26.049+00:00SceneSistersAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503938461741177440noreply@blogger.comBlogger451125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-71799683017549773222016-10-06T23:06:00.002+01:002016-10-06T23:15:15.782+01:00Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2) - Leigh Bardugo [Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Book: Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Author: Leigh Bardugo</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Published: 27th September 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Publisher: Orion Children's Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pages: 546</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rating: 5/5 stars</span><br />
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Wow, this book is a real corker. The follow up to <i>Six of Crows</i> this book follows the whole gang - Kaz, Inej, Nina, Matthias, Jesper & Wylan - as they face off against Van Eck and his cronies. There's heaps of stuff going on in this book, all set in the <i>Grisha </i>universe. There's a lot to love about this book and its arguably Bardugo's strongest work to date.<br />
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It's an almost impossible task to make the reader connect with, nor care about, all the primary characters in a book, especially in a book such as <i>Crooked Kingdom</i> which features an ensemble cast of characters. However, Bardugo manages it. I cant recall a book in which I've enjoyed all the main characters. Every one is complex and layered and interesting. No cardboard cut-out or prop characters who serve no purpose; the main gang is so diverse and I appreciate that immensely. Although my all time favourite will always be Inej, I found myself connecting with all the main crew. Even Wylan, who I cared less for in the first book, gets some excellent character development in this sequel, and Bardugo provided much welcomed insight into his back story and some of his relationships, particularly with Jesper, and his family.<br />
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Similarly, this book manages to achieve what is a rare feat for me - having absolutely zero repulsive or insta-love romances! I adored all the potential respective pairings, and the romance is absolutely not the center of the book. It is very subtle, and fits in well with the harsh backdrop of Ketterdam. It is complimentary and simply adds another layer to the characters. Kaz and Inej are such interesting characters on their own and although they do not share a typical romance by any means, there are a couple of segments that allow you to catch a glimpse at what could have been had their backgrounds been different. Matthias and Nina are as snarky and witty as ever, and their banter makes up for some of the more light-hearted passages in the book, particularly towards the first half. Jesper and Wylan are so god-damned adorable, and they really become more than just add-ons in this book, with some excellent scenes alone and together.<br />
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Ketterdam is notoriously a city of suffering, and all the main crew are no strangers to this. Everyone has secrets, pasts they'd like to forget, relationships they wish they could mend etc. The multiple POVs flow relatively seamlessly and you get a good amount of time with each character. The chapters start off quite far apart but get closer as you move along through the story, which really emphasises the increasing stakes. There's action elements in pretty much every chapter, but things really pick up at around 250 pages or so.<br />
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Bardugo's writing is flawless. I liked the <i>Grisha</i> trilogy, but boy has she really perfected how to tell an excellent story. Bardugo blends together a thrilling tale, detailed world building, and developed and engaging characters. Although the language and style may be strange if you happen to be relatively new to the world of the <i>Grisha</i>, <i>Six of Crows</i> did a pretty good job at being accessible to new readers, so if you've read that, then you'll be fine with this. There's a cool map at the beginning detailing the layout of Ketterdam including all the new locations visited in this novel (university district, the cemetery, the church etc.), and I always appreciate the extra detail, so this was a nice touch.<br />
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There's also some really thoughtful nods to the <i>Shadow and Bone</i> series, with certain characters being mentioned and a few surprises! It really brings up a bit of nostalgia that I appreciated.<br />
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This book really comes alive and everything feels so vibrant and palpable. From the Warehouse district, to West Stave, to the Geldin district, the image Bardugo creates with her writing is clear and mesmerising. Like other immersive series such as <i>Harry Potter</i>, whenever I read Bardugo's books concerning the Grisha, it always feels like coming home - there's something familiar and comforting (even in a harsh universe such as the one she creates) and that's something that's very difficult to construct - and only a handful of authors have managed to emulate this.<br />
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In terms of twists and turns, there's definitely a few! There was a really good narrative surrounding Wylan and Jesper in particular, and a lot of unanswered questions were resolved. The level of tension increases the further into the book you get, and this makes for a real page-turner. Towards the end I was on the edge of my seat, and I definitely had tears in my eyes at some parts. The plot is so intricate that when you see everything come together it is really impressive.<br />
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A quick note - <b>THE ENDING</b>. Oh my god, my poor heart couldn't take it. I'm still not okay. One things for sure, I <b><i>need</i></b> more books set in the <i>Grisha</i> universe. I have so many unanswered questions! I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way - Bardugo knows how to pull on your heartstrings, man.<br />
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Overall, <i>Crooked Kingdom</i> completely met and exceeded my expectations and I savored every beautiful, beautiful page. If you haven't read this yet, I strongly urge you to get your hands on a copy. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15187150227866532677noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-80078135818559414712016-09-27T23:48:00.004+01:002016-09-27T23:50:11.668+01:00A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes #2) - Sabaa Tahir [Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Book: A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes #2)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Author: Sabaa Tahir</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Published: 8th September 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Publisher: HarperVoyager</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pages: 454</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rating: 4/5 stars</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Picking up where <i>An Ember in the Ashes </i>left off, this book follows Laia and Elias as they flee the Emperor, the Commandant and well, pretty much everyone. Things appear pretty grim for them, and sufficed to say, this theme continues throughout the book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had heard a few mixed reviews for this follow-up novel before its release, so I postponed reading it, however, having now finished, its safe to say I actually found this book to be pretty enjoyable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The book opens with a suitably sinister undertone, which I loved (what can I say, I like things a little creepy). This really helps to raise the tension at the beginning and each chapter/point of view (POV) ends with a disquieting moment, or important revelation which serves to drive the pace of the story and encourages you to read further. I appreciated this element, however if you prefer a more laid-back sort of pace, then you might not. However, I am partial to a lot of action and suspense in books, so its safe to say I was hooked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The story has 3 POVs - Elias, Laia, and Helene. I really, really, enjoyed reading the parts from Helene's perspective. She is my favourite character and I loved being able to explore her relationships, particularly with her family, more and gaining insight into her personal thoughts and motivations. This is also allowed a further understanding of her feelings towards Elias, which was much appreciated. I was intrigued by her interactions with Marcus and the Commandant, although they are of course suitably sinister and frequently violent. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Laia's perspective is without a doubt the most boring; while her character was relatively satisfactory and sometimes enjoyable throughout the first book, she is at times unbearable during this novel. This detracted away from some of my enjoyment of the book as at times she needs to put things into perspective and honestly someone needs to give her a good shake. Helene Aquilla, she ain't. That girl can handle <b>a lot</b>. Laia - not so much. </span></div>
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I am definitely a fan of a Helene/Elias relationship and I absolutely do not ship, nor believe Laia and Elias as a couple. Did this decrease my overall enjoyment of the novel? Not quite, but it is something to bear in mind. The character POVs and storyline lead heavily towards a Laia/Elias pairing, but I am certainly not buying it, and Laia, in my opinion should probably remain a single pringle. This leads me on to her and Keenan's relationship (and his character as a whole) which I can barely tolerate. I have never felt an affinity toward Keenan, and therefore I struggled to read passages in which he featured for the first two thirds of the book. He reminds me of Jack in <i>Bridget Jones' Baby</i>, a film I watched recently - very try hard, and a bit of a douche, who (to me) has relatively little reason to be there (at least for most of the book). He does get significantly more character development toward the end however I was less impressed and more relieved. </div>
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In terms of new characters, I really liked Shaeva and Afya, they are both such interesting character and although they play fundamentally different roles throughout this book, they were welcome additions and helped to breath fresh life into the story. </div>
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Tahir definitely has a real way with words, and the writing flows beautifully; it's really easy to picture the scenes and feel immersed in the story. The Empire came alive and I especially enjoyed the descriptions of The Forest. That's not to say this novel is perfect - it isn't - but it is <i>told</i> well, making it an enjoyable read.</div>
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This book has a lot of interesting themes regarding death, loyalty and sacrifice. There's some very intriguing passages concerning the more mythical creatures (jinn, efrit, etc.), and the bridge between life and death or the beyond - termed 'the waiting place' in this book. This land is governed by the soul catcher and I found her segments really thought provoking and captivating, particularly as she seems to be neither kind nor callous, she merely just exists, and there's a lot of her backstory that has yet to be unraveled. Her interactions with one main character in particular constituted some of my favourite parts of the book. </div>
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Just a quick mention to the actual physical copy of the book - oh my god, I am dead. It is stunning. The beautiful orange/gold embossed cover spine is so stunning and really eye-catching. Yes, cover art isn't everything, but I can appreciate a good one when I see it. </div>
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One negative is that the book does suffer slightly (at least toward the first two thirds) from 'middle book syndrome' in that it is largely unclear as to why the main characters are doing what they are doing. I imagine if the main characters were to actually discuss this properly it would go something like this:</div>
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Laia - Okay Elias, I know we're like, wanted by the whole Empire and your pal Helene is totally gonna have to track you down and, you know, kill you, but could we make a very quick detour from fleeing for our lives and go rescue my brother from a completely impenetrable prison?</div>
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Elias - I'm sorry what?</div>
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Laia - Pleeeeease</div>
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Elias - Okay, well, I'm sure you have a good reason for risking both our lives (and countless others) for this mission right?</div>
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Laia - Well, there are rumors that he can make fancy weapons...</div>
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Elias - What? Weapons? I have weapons?!</div>
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Laia - Yeah but these are <u style="font-style: italic;">super</u> fancy</div>
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Elias - Oh er, okay, cool, I guess, because we totally need those right now... for all the fighters we don't have...</div>
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But you get my point, I know we're supposed to believe/accept that breaking Laia's brother out of prison is of immediate importance, but I'm frankly skeptical. We don't really get to see a lot of Darin throughout the book so I'm hoping reasoning and motivations will be explored a bit more in the next book. </div>
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The last third of the book was extremely fast-paced and engaging, and really helped to drive the story and provided some interesting twists and turns, some that were expected, and some that were definitely not. This last section is without a doubt the strongest of the book and really rounded out the plot nicely, leaving lots of potential for the next novel, and I'm hopeful for lots of further development for the main 3 characters in the next installment. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15187150227866532677noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-67748390879119940712016-09-16T13:12:00.001+01:002016-09-16T13:51:32.955+01:00Empire of Storms (ToG #5) - Sarah J. Maas [Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Book: Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Author: Sarah J. Maas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Published: 6th September 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Publisher: Bloomsbury PLC</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pages: 693</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rating: 4/5 stars</span><br />
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I'll preface this review by saying that I am a massive fan of this series. It was a bit of a slow burner for me, but I found myself absolutely loving the books (<i>Heir of Fire</i> was a real winner for me), and although this book is not <i>as</i> good, in my opinion, it's not truly awful either. I know there's been a lot of divided opinion and I think this mainly stems from the character development in this novel (a la <i>A Court of Mist and Fury</i>), as opposed to the plotting or general themes of the book. </div>
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For me, it's important to point out that, yes, the characters are similar to those of <i>ACOMAF</i>, however this did not affect my enjoyment of the book too much as I absolutely loved <i>ACOMAF</i> and so I enjoyed the parallels. Having said this, did it become slightly repetitive over time? Perhaps. Aelin and Rowan are indeed kindred spirits with Feyre and Rhys (from <i>ACOMAF</i>), and you could interchange the dialogue between the two books and you would not notice the difference. Again, not necessarily a criticism, merely an observation. However, because of this point, it does seem that Aelin (and indeed Rowan) do some things that would seem slightly out of character for them, and this theme continues among the other characters as well. The most notable individual this affects is Dorian. His behavior is sporadic, at best, with some truly cringe-worthy flirting and sexual referencing, and gone is the sweet and honorable prince of past days. Now, again, this did not bother me <b><i>so</i> </b>much, because Dorian has never been one of my favorite characters, but I can imagine if you did have a soft spot for him, this might take some getting used to. </div>
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As previously mentioned, this book definitely has its string of sexual references and NSFW content. There is a 'mature content' warning on the back of the novel, so this is definitely not young adult, and is more typical of new adult writing. I don't necessarily mind more mature themes, however, like <i>ACOMAF</i>, some of the sex scenes are a bit cringe, and there's a lot of growling (is this a thing?), so just bear this in mind. Although it might be your cup of tea, it seemed a bit out of place. Along similar lines, there is a lot of 'relationship pairing' in this novel, and all of them are heterosexual. Again, not <b>every</b> character has to be paired up in a book with another, and if you are going to go full hog, it might be worth pairing characters up realistically, particularly in Dorian's case, as he began as a character that could seemingly be gay, or bisexual, and ends up in this novel engaging in a pretty standard heterosexual relationship (or at least, as standard as it can be in a land filled with fae, witches, and the equivalent of Voldemort). </div>
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However, some of the characters do truly shine throughout this book, and my favorite is definitely (and shall hopefully always be) Manon. She is truly a unique and layered character, who neither fits into the 'hero' or 'villain' archetypes. I very much enjoyed her story-arc throughout this book, particularly with regard to her role as Wing-Leader, and her witch heritage, and I am so excited for this to be explored further in the sequel. Her relationship with Aelin makes up some of the best parts of the books, and I liked their prickly and witty interactions, and have enjoyed these elements in previous books. Lysandra is also in her element here, and we get to see further extensions of her shape-shifting abilities, including one really awesome section in Skull's Bay. Other characters that take on more of a role in this book include Elide and Lorcan - now, although I don't really enjoy their dynamic together, I do like their characters individually. Elide has been through a lot, and she's not necessarily got anything that amazing or special in her arsenal - she's got average fighting skills, she feels fear, she's had a damaged history - and this makes her more relate-able to the average reader than the rest of the cast that includes mystical, seemingly all-powerful fae and cut-throat witches. Lorcan, I believe, has a lot of potential, and I'm looking forward to how he will develop in the sequel following the final developments at the end of this book. </div>
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Although I would have appreciated more villain-elements in this book - Erawan and Maeve do feature, but they are a bit more of a side plot, in Aelin's quest for the keys/lock. However, the ending (which is arguably the strongest part of the whole book) sets up these elements nicely, and really makes you pine for the sequel. Ideally, this level of pace and tension would have been distributed equally throughout the novel and not clumped together towards the end. Despite the fact that there are some interesting action-elements and twists and turns scattered throughout the book, these do mainly appear at the end which serves to make the pace a little meandering and and foggy in the first two thirds of the book. Although I felt compelled to keep reading in hopes of some clarity, pages could have definitely been cut and the novel would have been no worse for it. </div>
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Despite these aforementioned shortcomings, the story elements and <i><u>that ending</u></i> helped to raise the quality of the book for me, over what would have ordinarily been a 3 star rating, and thus, I have awarded 4 stars, but only just. I have faith that the sequel to this book will help to address some of the issues raised - particularly with regard to character development, which seems to be a common theme among other reviewers I have encountered. Based upon the events of the finale, it seems like there is a lot of promise for the next book, and I feel confident that with some alterations and an attempt to make this series a bit more distinct from her other series, <i>A Court of Thorns and Roses</i>, Maas can deliver a solid, engaging, and enthralling read that will do <i>Throne of Glass</i> fans justice. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15187150227866532677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-8621997723856205452016-09-15T10:35:00.001+01:002016-09-15T13:17:36.376+01:00Burn (Dark In You #1) - Suzanne Wright [Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Book: Burn (Dark In You #1)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Author: Suzanne Wright</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Published: 1st November 2016 (new edition)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Publisher: Piatkus</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pages: 384</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Source: eArc provided by the publisher via NetGalley</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rating: 3.5/5 stars</span><br />
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Going into this book, I was unsure of what to expect - I had not heard of the series previously, however a quick check of popular opinion indicated that others really enjoyed this book. Therefore, I set myself modest expectations and hoped to be pleasantly surprised. As expected, this is definitely a fun read, and although it would not be what I would usually turn to - I may have to explore other books by this author!</div>
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Okay, so let's get into details. This book follows tattooist Harper Wallis, who resides in Las Vegas, and details the consequential events that occur once she finds out that her psychic mate or 'anchor' is a guy who's rumored to be the most powerful demon in existence. Intriguing, right? Although this is a story centering round demons and the paranormal, and there's definitely a subtly creepy atmosphere, it's scattered with occasional wit and humor, and the characters are a bit cheeky, so it feels like a more light-hearted and less dramatic read, which for me, is a good thing.</div>
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Usually, I tend to not be drawn to the more paranormal demon-centric reads, however, this was a welcome change. Harper, the main female protagonist, is full of energy and sass. She's not your typical damsel in distress/please help me type, which is perfect for me as I prefer my heroines to be a bit more proactive. Her thoughts and actions are realistic and not over the top, and she reacts to the news of her new psychic mate about as well as any of us would take it, which I actually liked. Moving on to the aforementioned mate - Knox - he's absolutely brimming with sass and initially exudes your typical dominant, alpha-male vibe, which at first turned me off a bit. Yeah, he's sexy, but I'm looking for a bit more than that, you know? This was relatively corrected throughout the novel as we get a bit more insight into his character, however I could do with a little bit more in this regard as he still comes across as a bit overbearing and possessive throughout the novel, when Harper is just trying to do her own thing. She's a person, not a piece of furniture, you know?</div>
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The setting is great; Las Vegas is always bound to be exciting, and although we don't necessarily get to explore a lot of it, there is a good amount of detail, and the setting serves its purpose - it's not referenced overwhelmingly, but it provides a nice backdrop for the story, which is really about Harper and Knox. </div>
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There is definitely a lot of romance and a bit of mature content in this book (so not one for the younger reader), however, in most cases I prefer this as I like my books to be a bit more realistic and mature, particularly in terms of relationships. There is excellent chemistry between Harper and Knox, and this really helps to drive the book through the slightly more meandering passages. In terms of supporting characters, there's not really a great deal of noteworthy ones, however Isla is definitely an interesting character which has a lot of potential throughout the novel, even though she could have featured more prominently. In terms of related characters to Harper, she has relatively little friends to start off with, and although I did enjoy Khloe, I wish she would have featured a bit more. As for Knox, a lot of his security detail and surrounding demons all kind of mesh into one for me, there's a lot of dudes and names, and I ended up losing track of who is who (Tanner? Levi? Keenan?). </div>
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However, ultimately, the novel is a fairly light-hearted and engaging read, which would definitely attract most readers who are fans of the genre, despite its shortcomings. There's enough action to drive the narrative, and the two main characters are strong, and enthralling, which should satisfy most readers who prefer more dynamic protagonists. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15187150227866532677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-3293813399061623892016-08-11T18:05:00.002+01:002016-08-11T18:05:41.278+01:00Suicide Squad (2016) Review <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhvVNiE9lXAewt3sFNb-CWuF7uTVnDgE3PbZ_o9MfpMo7ZaMC5IJsJH-wJnfE9Q1lg36CHEZXo-dqoY9yRIoq9xt074e1Dr2o5OWL7TbwbvS_WXkVB8o2EVw1irkb6NfnPu6P9w1FWWc/s1600/suicide+squad+4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhvVNiE9lXAewt3sFNb-CWuF7uTVnDgE3PbZ_o9MfpMo7ZaMC5IJsJH-wJnfE9Q1lg36CHEZXo-dqoY9yRIoq9xt074e1Dr2o5OWL7TbwbvS_WXkVB8o2EVw1irkb6NfnPu6P9w1FWWc/s400/suicide+squad+4.jpeg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">"Oh I'm not gonna kill you. I'm just gonna hurt you. <br />Really, really, bad."</span></i></td></tr>
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By now, you may have heard of this little indie film called <i>Suicide Squad</i>, starring some of the
comic book world’s most notable villains… OK, obviously we’re kidding, and the
chances of you having not heard of this cinematic entity by now are very slim,
so we’ll make this introduction quick and get to the juicy stuff.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFJzEhOzreG5FvohbUTsOeTjVRzl8X0zz5ll_1Vpvz9wLBT6GIiJ-4s7iTCRNpj3X5H-02VbhH5-xMcO9Z9zEyw0P5yVtDkiHjpiFGwBMyEyI4L8z-jVKke8mmnQoXw092ukTCe2nhBc/s1600/suicide+squad+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFJzEhOzreG5FvohbUTsOeTjVRzl8X0zz5ll_1Vpvz9wLBT6GIiJ-4s7iTCRNpj3X5H-02VbhH5-xMcO9Z9zEyw0P5yVtDkiHjpiFGwBMyEyI4L8z-jVKke8mmnQoXw092ukTCe2nhBc/s400/suicide+squad+13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The basic premise of this squad-tastic outing is that a
secret government agency, headed up by Amanda ‘The Wall’ Waller (Viola Davis),
coerces imprisoned supervillains and metahumans into doing its dirty work, in
the form of hazardous black ops missions tackling some of the worst opponents
in exchange for smaller sentences. Recruited for said operations, and
micro-managed by Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman), is a whole gaggle of weirdos: an
assassin named Deadshot (Will Smith), psychiatrist-turned-crazed-supervillain
Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), LA gang member/flaming metahuman El Diablo (Jay
Hernandez), expert martial artist Katana (Karen Fukuhara), deadly thief Captain
Boomerang (Jai Courtney), reptilian Killer Croc (Adewale Akkinnuoye-Agbaje),
possessed archaeologist June Moon/Enchantress (Cara Delevingne) and mercenary
Slipknot (Adam Beach). Occasionally turning up to throw a spanner into Waller’s
plans is Harley’s boyfriend, the psychologically manipulative Joker, played by
Jared Leto. </div>
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Somersaulting onto screen is the unpredictable and highly anticipated Harley Quinn, the deranged girlfriend/abuse victim of the Joker. It
has to be said that Robbie expertly nails this character, effortlessly creepy-smiling her
way into a number of ridiculous scenarios with her trusty bat in tow. Quirky,
sassy, abrasive, kooky and inherently athletic, Harley is a real scene-stealer
and Robbie deserves the credit for taking on such an iconic creation and making
it her own whilst staying true to the essence of the character – think <i>Animated Series</i> Harley with the
potential to evolve into <i>New 52</i>
Harley.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4VL2wCUJl11cnHTGfebQpDEAzv9gQvi0qyFh5og6dp0Yg-Fmjkz9ZYTFf9bzSsE6D3Coqx-aL_t02mcahHE2KGrPFAf7AFJN3Mjg40EhHBV3XQZ2a_leWexVdShXxaRT6Or3qOTK4G8/s1600/suicide+squad+9.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4VL2wCUJl11cnHTGfebQpDEAzv9gQvi0qyFh5og6dp0Yg-Fmjkz9ZYTFf9bzSsE6D3Coqx-aL_t02mcahHE2KGrPFAf7AFJN3Mjg40EhHBV3XQZ2a_leWexVdShXxaRT6Or3qOTK4G8/s400/suicide+squad+9.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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Of course, where there’s Harley there’s likely to be the
Joker, and Jared Leto bursts into view like a garish paint gangster sporting
bright neon green hair, twisted tattoos and a plethora of pimp outfits. It’s
visually striking, needless to say, and Leto assumes the role of the Joker with
eerie ease, being outwardly terrifying and intimidating as he snarls at and
slaps around his adversaries. Granted, he’s not in much of the film, but
perhaps this is a good thing, as it would be quite overwhelming to introduce
him and have him be a substantial villain whilst also giving the other cast
members their screen time. Let’s say he’s around enough to tantalise your jokey
taste-buds, but not too much so that you’re choking on it. You can rest assured that this
particular incarnation of the Joker has effective chemistry with Harley, and
Leto and Robbie shine as the chaotic clown king and queen, with the potential
for them to star in a sequel together more prominently. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bC36lSCdcdZUXNG_I7ImcKNh0Oz1wMjZacgfg02z11fa1x5BjwxazA1mWAIlYg3kwN8aD65wuFu4H-viKMGcrfBfPJr2adu_kPenH6DXPS4c0mzXk7njZ05txR-S6VEs9nFVfBG9NLE/s1600/suicide+squad+7.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bC36lSCdcdZUXNG_I7ImcKNh0Oz1wMjZacgfg02z11fa1x5BjwxazA1mWAIlYg3kwN8aD65wuFu4H-viKMGcrfBfPJr2adu_kPenH6DXPS4c0mzXk7njZ05txR-S6VEs9nFVfBG9NLE/s400/suicide+squad+7.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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Unsurprisingly, the performances all-round are exceptionally
spot-on, with Jay Hernandez and Will Smith being especially notable. Hernandez,
who portrays pyrotechnic El Diablo (think of a murderous Seamus Finnigan),
beautifully illustrates his character’s brutal backstory as it unfolds
tragically on screen, whilst also proving to be the moral anchor that guides
the film to its conclusion. Meanwhile, Smith’s Deadshot is an assassin who
enjoys danger and his skills, but this conflicts with his love for his
daughter. In the end, Smith manages to balance character comedy flair as the
sarcastic gun-slinger with emotive familial energy relating to his child. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiL2Pm14iPqj6J-MvsljFCpHqVffXk0s9Tk8dR-_Op7pzM3XsV353dncslOsbvlLB8-ITeJTCa1AekQILwEugmVWg2kTesMrBKpkHrhhrbi5UF4YUU6276CvLFdYCK-dhFjJ-3MOQLzJY/s1600/suicide+squad+12.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiL2Pm14iPqj6J-MvsljFCpHqVffXk0s9Tk8dR-_Op7pzM3XsV353dncslOsbvlLB8-ITeJTCa1AekQILwEugmVWg2kTesMrBKpkHrhhrbi5UF4YUU6276CvLFdYCK-dhFjJ-3MOQLzJY/s400/suicide+squad+12.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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Other players in this suicide squad include Katana, who
newcomer Fukuhara portrays with a steely determination, flexing her sword-slicing skills this is one woman you don't want to mess with - but it would have been interesting and more fulfilling to
have her feature more in the story, especially regarding her backstory. Killer
Croc is a cannibal with rage issues courtesy of Akkinnuoye-Agbaje, who has
moments of humour and viciousness, whilst Courtney’s Captain Boomerang is like
a hobo squirrel with a penchant for fluffy pink unicorns who always seems to
have his booze detectors on, and actually provides some of the more ridiculous
but hilarious moments of the film. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Delevingne’s Enchantress also occasionally pops up in her
quest for something convoluted, and although she’s received some negative
attention for her performance, its actually rather fittingly creepy and her rhythmic
dance movements are in-keeping with a mud-covered, <i>Grudge</i>-esque ancient witch. Somehow Rick Flag manages to make an
unlikely team out of these misfits, so props to Joel Kinnaman. You might think
that amongst these bunch of baddies there’s no one who could possibly keep them
in line. But the ‘baddest bitch’ is well and truly the menacing Amanda Waller
played sublimely by Viola Davis. She’s intimidating, fierce, gives absolutely
no fucks and is perhaps the most manipulative of all as the ominous puppet
master. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Having said all of these positives about the characters,
there are a few negatives that bring the film down, such as the seemingly
haphazard editing in some sections, that make the film seem rushed (possibly
due to the deleted scene debacle and studio interference), such as the
Joker/Batman chase scene and some in the middle part (held back for spoilers). Whilst this isn’t
life-threatening for the film, it does diminish the overall quality of the picture as this could have been fixed for a more effective and triumphant return for
DC. For instance, some more character development for the Enchantress and her
motivations as well as Katana’s background would have helped fuel the purpose
of the missions and added to the effectivity. Additionally, characters such as
Batman, the Joker (although not so much a personal gripe) and Katana could have
featured more, and Slipknot’s whole escapade doesn’t have the impact the studio
might have been hoping for (it's seriously bad).<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFZx5sxUSjGXvSHZaJsIPW6xnLOKxKrH0RbcgC3ZNzET5zIs8mqH-I74swS357Ju7M4pxq5ZKyXzjet-atSnP_Q5-uK9bDuZzz4A0YbdvwO82PtEB5Vz7T4FDprE-FNHFB-MmgEKQQPI/s1600/suicide+squad+11.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFZx5sxUSjGXvSHZaJsIPW6xnLOKxKrH0RbcgC3ZNzET5zIs8mqH-I74swS357Ju7M4pxq5ZKyXzjet-atSnP_Q5-uK9bDuZzz4A0YbdvwO82PtEB5Vz7T4FDprE-FNHFB-MmgEKQQPI/s400/suicide+squad+11.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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Fortunately, however, the movie succeeds in other avenues,
such as acoustically, as it features an impressive soundtrack that is as
twisted and vibrant as you’d expect (Kehlani’s ‘Gangsta’ being a standout), a
firm departure from the dark and dreary <i>Dawn
of Justice</i>. Visually, <i>Suicide Squad</i>
is a colourful explosion as mad as its characters, featuring fun titles akin to
<i>Scott Pilgrim</i>, with less of a focus
on being a ‘superhero movie’ and more on being a comic book adaptation. Whilst
the plot is nothing revolutionary or ground-breaking, it works well in context
with the large personalities on screen, and is thoroughly entertaining ride. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ultimately, <i>Suicide
Squad</i> is stylistically vivid, and boasts an array of quirky characters and commendable
performances to make up for its missteps; you’d be an absolute joker to miss
it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503938461741177440noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-70306842559978139142016-08-06T19:45:00.004+01:002016-08-06T22:30:27.341+01:00Star Trek Beyond (2016) Review <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMzpvr6WtYOUsLm3zRQS981qCNnTXjlIf-tEDKLwf8XsbvMvXl0lIgV41JYD2bhciz8KmRlPBhxOZpfr28_hTT9mcqRqMNBAGUjC-glgrQMCWCG8io73yHck_oo_MgnYcH7xWKDgnbzM/s1600/star+trek+beyond+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMzpvr6WtYOUsLm3zRQS981qCNnTXjlIf-tEDKLwf8XsbvMvXl0lIgV41JYD2bhciz8KmRlPBhxOZpfr28_hTT9mcqRqMNBAGUjC-glgrQMCWCG8io73yHck_oo_MgnYcH7xWKDgnbzM/s400/star+trek+beyond+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">"Fear of death is illogical."<br />"Fear of death is what keeps us alive." </span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It’s time for us to embark on a voyage bound for the beyond in
the latest space blockbuster, <i>Star Trek
Beyond</i>, which recruits a new director in the form of Justin Lin (<i>Fast & Furious</i>) – taking over from <i>Star Wars </i>traitor, J. J. Abrams (just
kidding). Back along for this epic operatic journey are the trusty crew of the
USS <i>Enterprise</i>: Captain James Kirk
(Chris Pine), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Spock (Zachary Quinto), Bones (Karl Urban),
Scotty (Simon Pegg), Sulu (John Cho) and Chekov (Anton Yelchin), who star alongside
new additions Jaylah (Sofia Boutella), an alien scavenger and Krall (Idris
Elba), our vengeful villain. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the dramatic
for Kirk and co., and soon a tricky rescue mission descends into disaster as
the team face harrowing repercussions. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Trying to move on from the Alice Eve debacle of previous <i>Star Trek Into Darkness</i>, you can tell
the film has made a conscientious effort to develop its characters more –
especially its women – and in an attempt to inject a bit of life back into the
dreary crew, this new incarnation offers us up Jaylah. A severely blunt and
snappy scavenger, Boutella is a wise choice for Jaylah following her
performance in <i>Kingsmen</i>, and she
shines in the role. Her captivating aesthetic (props to the make-up artist)
combined with her broken English, quick-fire lines and charming penchant for
metal music make her a bewitching addition. Similarly, Uhura has a far more
meaningful role as she attempts to save her crew and stand up to Krall, and this is intertwined with a splash of Uhura/Spock silliness that will have you warming up to
them as a quirky couple. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCgTGtIPcQhlEyebIWdvae9bBwGF6U2VAemMcZexNWwHwuB-vp_H7AeIzUV77mERBcYjaW2ikFOZRMTVREP7qr_w7k4orQv7SO3beq9pb3GxadDa9PYY5KwOTwdIiOuKknLSMQZmG3q8/s1600/star+trek+beyond+1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCgTGtIPcQhlEyebIWdvae9bBwGF6U2VAemMcZexNWwHwuB-vp_H7AeIzUV77mERBcYjaW2ikFOZRMTVREP7qr_w7k4orQv7SO3beq9pb3GxadDa9PYY5KwOTwdIiOuKknLSMQZmG3q8/s1600/star+trek+beyond+1.gif" /></a></div>
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If we were to tell you that Spock and Bones’ antagonistic
relationship might be one of the more refreshing and engaging elements to the
film, you probably wouldn’t believe us at first – but alas, it is true.
Surprisingly, the two function quite formidably as an energetic and charismatic
duo, with Quinto’s deadpan delivery, and Spock’s firm and factual nature offset
by the doctor’s pessimism and brashness, portrayed humorously by Urban. The
whole affair is utterly amusing, and rivals even the Pine/Quinto bromance. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Needless to say, Elba had a difficult challenge ahead of him
going into this role. Following on from a hugely anticipated villain such as
Cumber-Khan is no easy feat, and although Idris Elba is thoroughly intimidating
as Krall, it just doesn’t quite measure up, even with the tantalising twist. <o:p></o:p><br />
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When you’ve got Lin at the helm of the new <i>Star Trek, </i>there's a certain preconceived notion of how it might pan out, and it’s pretty much
what you’d expect. In true <i>Fast &
Furious</i> fashion, Lin channels his frenetic directorial style into this
space oddity, creating jagged, in-the-moment action sequences that can be
difficult to focus on – even if they are certainly energetic. But fortunately,
the galaxy graphics are out of this world, with fantastical, immersive space
battles covering up any missteps in over enthusiastic camera angles or pacing. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Whilst the plot may actually be one of the better Trekkie
ones, it also feels very similar to previous outings, which might feel a bit
repetitive to those who aren’t fully engaged in the material. This is also
limited by the ‘safe’ story that doesn’t challenge or attempt to break any previously
established Star Trek formulas. Whether they will attempt to create something
new in future instalments is uncertain, but welcomed.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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However, the themes of unity and companionship are
quintessentially ‘Trek’, and the uplifting vibe that undercuts the film is
very inspirational for new generations, especially when you acknowledge the
touching tributes to old and departed characters that are tastefully
commemorative and fitting. This is one for absent friends, old, and new
viewers; the message of unity and strength together hopefully resonating beyond
the screen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOBJpc58rapAbnG6oB-wT8uvA3JrGh9gFj0N8E51A9_-3PLU5WxjscLcFAMIsSZZiAsji2eOClsVMODPuHrYd55ZvcnU6bxNcFpC_3h15ir49JTEfZodbZudJkkFylfI18zZbYpP5qeU/s1600/star+trek+beyond+9.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOBJpc58rapAbnG6oB-wT8uvA3JrGh9gFj0N8E51A9_-3PLU5WxjscLcFAMIsSZZiAsji2eOClsVMODPuHrYd55ZvcnU6bxNcFpC_3h15ir49JTEfZodbZudJkkFylfI18zZbYpP5qeU/s1600/star+trek+beyond+9.gif" /></a></div>
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Thankfully, unlike Kirk’s doomed ship, this cinematic voyage
sails safely back to base with just some minor damage, and a few bumps along
the way. <u><o:p></o:p></u><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503938461741177440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-8362822242145738182016-07-30T12:10:00.002+01:002016-07-30T12:10:18.972+01:00Jason Bourne (2016) Review <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QwSW5lBr7t3y5F4DZYMWawC97T0a4Lf5g22DbQ0onTFqDJs7xbPNgyqpOF9hxtr7y01arT_VC7DCJUt5lAb5RfCrxci_CgK2t8OMVe9VAVae3wEJw_ofISC_0LvZqxWVrEJ0ikSbw30/s1600/jason+bourne+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QwSW5lBr7t3y5F4DZYMWawC97T0a4Lf5g22DbQ0onTFqDJs7xbPNgyqpOF9hxtr7y01arT_VC7DCJUt5lAb5RfCrxci_CgK2t8OMVe9VAVae3wEJw_ofISC_0LvZqxWVrEJ0ikSbw30/s400/jason+bourne+7.jpg" width="252" /></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">"Jesus Christ, that's Jason Bourne!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Much like Ethan Hunt and James Bond, James Bourne is one of
those never-ending entities that just keeps on going; an unstoppable movie
force that execs have no problem resurrecting. Using his steely gaze and
focused demeanour for good – sort of – Bourne is back in this new self-titled
endeavour, searching for more truths from his past (at this point, how many
more secrets can you realistically unearth?). Also back to save us from Jeremy
Renner’s disappointing outing in <i>The
Bourne Legacy</i>, is Matt Damon as he tries to redeem the Bourne franchise and
deliver a contemporary action film of <i>Rogue
Nation</i> standard. Needless to say, there’s a lot to accomplish this time
around.<br />
<br />
Check out this review over on <a href="https://wemakemoviesonweekends.com/2016/07/28/jason-bourne-review-spoilers/"><span style="font-size: large;">WE MAKE MOVIES ON WEEKENDS</span></a>. It's a great site and could really use some love! x Thank you :) Happy reading! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCh0O3mpZnkpKZJPTI22x1vXmUNsNJ0EIkkAipfHd77enkKHpIMeA9Z3ine0ODsz5UN-tum04dvgEkFcwqBhiVq9UkGHeUB08DfA70_aQwWSVVbLMjqfZOpJc_LQzxAg1W0AwJWaeC7k/s1600/jason+bourne+11.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCh0O3mpZnkpKZJPTI22x1vXmUNsNJ0EIkkAipfHd77enkKHpIMeA9Z3ine0ODsz5UN-tum04dvgEkFcwqBhiVq9UkGHeUB08DfA70_aQwWSVVbLMjqfZOpJc_LQzxAg1W0AwJWaeC7k/s400/jason+bourne+11.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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Set a decade after his disappearance at the end of <i>The Bourne Ultimatum</i>, Jason Bourne (Matt
Damon) returns with the help of Nikki Parsons (Julia Stiles), as he attempts to
discover information about his past that has been brought to light.
Unfortunately for Bourne, Operation Ironhand is attempting to hunt him down and
exterminate, led by Robert Dewey (Tommy Lee Jones), the CIA Director, who has
enlisted an asset to help (Vincent Cassel). Also starring is Alicia Vikander as
Heather Lee, a CIA agent who is eager to bring Bourne in, instead of killing
him. <o:p></o:p></div>
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What Bourne excels in is the fundamentals of its genre –
breath-taking, thrilling action sequences – executed with precision in the
hands of director Paul Greengrass and cinematographer Barry Ackroyd. The latter
takes great care in transporting you to the heat of the action, with visceral,
in-your-face shots that capture the agile and immediate nature of the scenes superbly.
Whether it’s on the back of Bourne’s rickety motorcycle, in the swift movements
of deadly falls or trailing behind an intense car chase, Ackroyd and Greengrass
know how to assimilate an audience into the fabric of a movie. Without a doubt
these action sequences – particularly the Athens Protest scene, and the ending
Vegas chase – are the best feature of the film, and should be commended for
their sublime execution. Truly, the locations and sets used rival <i>Skyfall</i>, with <i>Jason Bourne</i> showcases the alluring and mysterious destinations
that make action and spy films so enthralling. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Fortunately, Matt Damon excels in his signature role as the
cool-headed, dead-pan assassin who you can’t anticipate what he will do next.
Regardless, Damon brings a sense of believability to a character whose feats
are above all, ridiculous and mind-blowing, and in anyone else’s hands, Bourne
would melt into a meagre puddle that is forgettable. One of the more promising
characters from the original series also returns (Julia Stiles’ Nikki Parsons),
although prepare yourself for her quick exit, and this is perhaps one of the
more frustrating elements of the film. As a rare, complex character, she is
reduced to a jerk-reactionary character that is used to fuel Bourne’s venture
back into the world he so adamantly swore off entering again. It’s lazy at best,
and a travesty at worst. </div>
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The film attempts to compensate you by introducing
another female counterpart – this time played by Alicia Vikander – Heather Lee,
who admittedly, Vikander manages to make relatively interesting, but she’s not
given much to work with. Aside from Bourne himself, the movie fails to
introduce any solid characters that have more than an initial impact, although
it does a rather impressive job at covering this up with explosive action, so
you have to give them props for that. <o:p></o:p></div>
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While the plot itself is a little predictable, <i>Jason Bourne</i> tries its best to remain
familiar to audiences with its classic musical score, and key stylistic
elements, whilst also introducing itself as something fresh and invigorating,
that isn’t simply a rehash of former Bourne outings. For the most part, the
film succeeds in being engaging and different, while also maintaining its
familiarity, although this does have a few moments of overlap. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In this particular ultimatum, Jason Bourne manages to reign
supreme and regain his former identity (see what we did there), proving to be a
compelling and relevant action hero amidst several competent competitors. You
can rest easy and rely on <i>Jason Bourne</i>
to fulfil your unsatisfied action cravings, despite a few expected flaws. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503938461741177440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-71986988480134860192016-07-26T14:55:00.001+01:002016-07-26T14:55:34.514+01:00Cinderella (2015) Review <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Have courage and be kind." </i></span></td></tr>
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In a kingdom where residents look like anthropomorphised
quality street wrappers, there lives a girl who can’t seem to keep herself
clean and suffers harrowing saw-style abuse. OK, so maybe we’ve over-dramatized
it a little, but in case you haven’t guessed it already (and the title didn’t
give it away), we’re talking about Kenneth Branagh’s 2015 Disney live-action
reboot, <i>Cinderella</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In case you’re not familiar with the plot of <i>Cinderella</i>, it is essentially a film
about tragedy and love. The movie follows the titular character (Lily James) as
her loving mother (Hayley Atwell) dies, which prompts her father (Ben Chaplin)
to re-marry, to the overbearing Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett), who brings
along her two daughters, Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie
McShera). Unfortunately, her father falls ill and dies on a voyage, leaving
Ella with her cruel ‘family’. But fate is kind, and she soon meets Kit, a.k.a.
The Prince (Richard Madden) and adventures ensue, with a little help from her
Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham Carter). <o:p></o:p></div>
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Needless to say, the film’s casting is impeccable, and
Disney has found a true princess in Lily James, who sheds her Downton dress for
an iconic and impressive ball gown, complete with impractical footwear. James
illuminates the screen with her warmth and energy, emulating the kind and
courageous darling she is portraying, whilst also proving to have sparkling
chemistry with Richard Madden’s Prince Kit. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Not one to shy away from kooky characters, Helena Bonham
Carter assumes the role of The Fairy Godmother, adding an extra sprinkle of
glitter and comedy to a film that could have been a little too sickening, if it
didn’t seem to be rather self-mocking, with injections of humour and loveable
bizarreness (the Lizard footmen, in particular, as well as the whole carriage
creation, come to mind). Also worth noting is Cate Blanchett, who tackles Lady
Tremaine with vigour, whilst also trying to add dimension to a character whose
raison d'être is cruelty and bad parentage.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cinderella certainly doesn’t overlook the importance of
aesthetic, and each carefully crafted costume is a delight to behold, whilst
gorgeous colours and patterns unite with the heavily romanticized movie to give
a sense of true magic and dreams, without being too sickly sweet. Everything is
more grandiose and elaborate, from the set design to the hair and make-up, with
the step-sisters, Anastasia and Drisella looking every inch excessive and
striking. Patrick Doyle is also on hand to imagine an enchanting soundtrack that is every bit as regal as you'd expect, and featuring some bewitching vocals from James and company. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Considering the plot of <i>Cinderella</i>
is incredibly weak, Branagh & Weitz perform admirably in their quest to
flesh out the rather dull tale, making monumental improvements on the 1950
animated classic, which benefits greatly from the live-action treatment. Whilst
<i>Cinderella</i> may not be revolutionary
by any means, as the second notable live-action Disney reboot of recent years
(behind 2014’s <i>Maleficent</i>), it proves
that there is substance and significance in Disney’s endeavour, whilst also
providing a dazzling, family adventure with a moral message that all can enjoy.
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Overall, <i>Cinderella</i>
is liable to sweep you off your feet, provided you enjoy/can overlook the hazy
romanticism that is intrinsic to its story. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503938461741177440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-34581815702232344682016-07-21T18:52:00.003+01:002016-07-21T18:52:57.457+01:00Maya Payne - The Lucky Ones [EP Review] <div class="MsoNormal">
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If you spend a significant amount of time lurking on Spotify, chances are you've probably already come across Maya Payne's music before - the young singer-songwriter from New Zealand topped the viral charts with addictive anthem 'If Only', which features on her debut EP, <i>The Lucky Ones</i>. This helped the 19-year old Christchurch resident garner international attention for her music, as she quickly discovered she had fans from all over the world listening to her tunes. If we had to describe Payne’s sound we'd say it's a bit of mix between Ellie Goulding and
Tove Lo, with a splash of CHVRCHES and Halsey for good measure. But make no mistake, Payne is unlike anything you've heard before, as she combines her own unique sound with a pitch perfect voice. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<i>The Lucky Ones</i> naturally opens with her first viral hit, 'If Only'. Coated in electro-goodness, it overwhelms your senses with hazy dance beats that give way to Payne's captivating vocals. Great for summer (and entirely seasonally appropriate), this one could easily be playing in an Ibiza nightclub on your next trip with the gang. As if you could have predicted what Payne would churn out to follow this, the singer makes a point to catch you off guard and prove that she is taking you on a musical journey. Lulling you into a false sense of security with her enchanting vocals, the singer drops the bass, triggering‘Self Defined’ to descend into a edgy, sassy, self-confident party that is effortlessly catchy and unashamedly addictive. Prepare to make this your new summer jam.<br />
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The third track from the EP is ‘Breathe Again’ which starts off by introducing you to waves of synth beats that provide a bewitching opening, with Payne displaying her darker, broodier side, lyrically. There's a bit of everything in here - hope, promise, pain, emotional vulnerability - all of which allow us to take a step further into Payne's world. “<i>I give all my love/ I give all my love to you</i>”, Payne echoes as
we reach the triumphant chorus of next track, ‘Lucky Ones’ - the namesake title of the EP.
Combining sickly sweet pop beats with a techno vibe, Payne’s ‘Allie-X’ style
sound is dominant, bold and memorable; ‘Lucky Ones’ is certainly lucky for this
young Kiwi.<br />
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‘Falling’, takes a turn away from the dance smash hits as Payne opts for an
understated sound that highlights the heartbreak in her voice, backed up
impressively by smooth piano chords that add to the solemn introverted atmosphere. It's not as commanding and dynamic as other songs in her arsenal, but it's still satisfying. Meanwhile, ‘We Are the Wild’ is, put simply, a highly energised, retro 80s song full
of life and vibrancy – and it doesn’t try to be anything else. This is all
about having fun and the true enjoyment of music, Troye Sivan style. </div>
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Drawing the EP to a close, ‘Fragile X’, a song that details the singer’s
vulnerability and struggles, ensures the venture end on a positive note. A self-reflective song detailing her journey from
youth to now, it’s every bit as electric as you’d expect, and Payne doesn’t
hold back, giving it everything and showing off the reversed beginnings of her
experimental sound. Whilst <i>The Lucky Ones</i> might not hit every pleasurable note, there is an impressive amount of genuinely engaging music, elevated by Payne's strong and addictive vocals, that is highly commendable for a debut EP. Like select newcomers before her, she has produced a barrage of memorable material that doesn't just attract interest - it sustains it; particularly promising for the future.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503938461741177440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-3142920909181004982016-07-19T14:23:00.003+01:002016-07-19T14:23:59.343+01:00Phoebe Ryan - New Music Spotlight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today we're shining our music spotlight on singer-songwriter Phoebe Ryan. Whilst our last spotlight featured the kawaii metal band, BABYMETAL, we're heading back to the lands of electro-pop for this latest edition. Full name, Phoebe Holiday Ryan (practically screams star, doesn't it?) is a green-haired vocalist from New Jersey whose sultry, enchanting voice attracted attention in 2015, upon the release of her debut EP, <i>Mine</i>.<br />
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You need only listen to some of her luscious pop music to see why she's appealing; from the understated electro beats to breathy vocal delivery, this gal's infectious. Co-penning all tracks from her EP helped secure the attention of some famous celebs - T-Swizzle included - who praised its perfect construction and sound. Her sound is immaculately curated and ties together well as a package, 'Mine' and 'Dead' being the most notable examples.<br />
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Seeing as it's looking fairly likely Ryan will be releasing her debut album sometime this year - if the barrage of new tracks is anything to go by - it seems only fitting that she be this week's spotlight. But how does her new material differ and what type of sound is she going for in this hectic year? An impressionable one, that's for sure. First 2016 track, 'Chronic', is as heavy and resilient as you'd expect, a particular ear-catching gem that is effortlessly addictive and memorable, showcasing Ryan's vocal range as she flutters her way through another solid winner.<br />
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'Boyz n Poizn', her next offering, is pretty much self-explanatory and this one sounds surprisingly Lana Del Rey-esque, with Ryan detailing her escapades when it comes to partners and alcohol - but with a hazy and solemn sound. Every bit as dreamy as destructive, Ryan makes sure to mention that she "enjoys 'em/ destroys 'em", until she gets what she wants, while showing the vulnerable side to her songwriting in self-reflection.<br />
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Her most recent and relatively new release is the collaborative 'Dollar Bill', with Kid Ink, and the two sound better together than you'd probably think. The upbeat electro-pop is offset with Ink's rapping and makes for a more urban outing than anything Ryan has previously embarked on. 2016 Ryan music seems to focus on the vibrant - displaying a colourful sound that matches her equally striking hair colour, and it's a growth that really suits her aesthetic as well as her acoustic.<br />
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What Ryan has lined up to release next is a bit of a mystery, but safe to say that we're buzzing. If her present releases are anything to go by, it's set to be a big hit - and could secure even more attention for the singer and her music. You have to give the 25yr old props for smashing onto the music scene in a big way, and for having an intriguing element to her music that makes you just want to keep listening, earning her this week's first new music slot. We're anticipating big things.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503938461741177440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-76373546114247920912016-07-18T20:20:00.001+01:002016-07-18T20:20:24.852+01:00The Top 10 Once Upon A Time Characters [TV]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oncers, assemble! Yes, in this edition of Top 10 we are counting down the complex characters from ABC/Disney's <i>Once Upon A Time, </i>so get those extravagant costumes on and take a trip to Storybrooke - just remember to pack your trusty red leather jacket, this could be a bumpy ride. Naturally, there are about a billion (read: less than a billion) different characters from <i>OUAT</i>, so it's unfeasible for us to mention everyone, who has ever existed, but we will do a nice little 5 or 6 Honourable mentions at the end before you all grab your pitch forks.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">10: Prince Charming/David Nolan</span></u></b><br />
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Surprised? Josh Dallas' Prince Charming comes in at number 10, for a variety of reasons. Starting off in the earlier seasons as a pretty intriguing prince, this charming character caught our attention with his heroic deeds and testing moral choices. Unfortunately, this didn't seem to last, and after the whole Snow/Prince scenarios fizzled out around season 2/3, he became a bit of a cliche - even more so than usual. Seemingly taking everyone to task for their questionable choices, and yet doing some pretty shady deals himself, our love for Prince Charming faded quicker than Regina could crush a heart. Sorry David, we're just not that into you. </div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">9: Queen of Hearts/Cora Mills</span></b></u></div>
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The original dark queen, Barbara Hershey portrays this heartless lady with effortless finesse. Cold, calculated but undeniably complicated, Cora Mills knows what she wants and generally goes out and gets it. Adept at playing both villain and half-hero, you're never quite sure what side Cora generally is on and let's face it, although we can never quite forgive her for killing Daniel/generally being a controlling, homicidal mother, she is a captivating individual. Unfortunately now deceased, she did lead a remarkably elaborate life/death/life (?) and she will forever go down in <i>OUAT</i> history as the original evil queen. </div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">8: Baelfire/Neal Cassidy</span></b></u></div>
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We're noticing a sort of deceased theme here. Unlike Cora, Neal/Baelfire died all the way back in season 3 when the evil witch of the west rocked into town, and we're still not quite over it. Although his death was fairly inevitable, and the romance with Emma seemed to have run its course, he still holds a special place in our glowing red magical hearts since he is Henry's father, after all. And hey, when you've got the Dark One as your father, you deserve a bit of credit for lasting as long as you did. </div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">7: Snow White/Mary Margaret</span></b></u><br />
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Oh, Snow, you'd be so much higher up on our list if you hadn't fallen into such dull plot lines in recent series. Starting off as an all-round badass bandit from the woods, MC Snow was the character we'd all been waiting for. She was no docile damsel but still had all the heart and warmth you'd expect from a compassionate Disney character, and she rocked the Enchanted Forest. Forming a strained but loving relationship with her daughter, and making continual sacrifices, Mary Margaret was more than just your average character, but like David, Ginnifer Goodwin's character seemed to drop off the face of the earth once her on-screen (and real life) baby was born. Writers, what are you doing? Get it together. We can only hope her character is given more exciting storylines and scenarios in season 6. </div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">6: Henry</span></b></u><br />
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Ah, Mister Henry Potter. Er, Henry Mills. This poor troubled but remarkably intelligent adopted kid of the Mayor of Storybrooke certainly had a difficult time growing up with a (surprise, surprise) controlling mother, not to mention the fact he was living in a made-up land. That type of situation really damages a person, you know? But pulling through it, Jared S. Gilmore's character quickly proved to be the moral compass of the entire show, pulling many characters back to reality when it was clear they had lost the plot, and that on its own is commendable. Beloved side-kick of his Sheriff birth-mum, Henry is a versatile gem of a character that just keeps getting better with age. </div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">5: Belle</span></b></u></div>
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Ok, we dare you to say you didn't absolutely adore Emilie de Ravin's Belle when she first twirled onto the scene way back in season one. Go on, we'll wait. Chipped tea cups and beastly relations aside, Belle is quirky, kind, and defiant; not the type of person to let another in need down, or to follow her dreams. Hilariously funny and sweet, you have to give her credit for putting up with Rumple's bizarre dearie antics and actually managing to bring out a better person in him - even just for a short while. </div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">4: Captain Hook/Killian Jones</span></b></u></div>
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Killian Jones started off as one of those characters you weren't really sure would make it past season 2, but he has somehow managed to swash buckle his way through to season 6, and even earned the affections of Miss Swan herself - hold up, what? Yep, if you thought any previous <i>OUAT</i> pairings were weird, this one takes the cake, but it's grown on us a bit. Colin O'Donoghue does have a certain sense of charm and charisma about him, and hey, we can't help but love the old hand-less pirate a bit more as the seasons progress - eyeliner and all. Not to mention, the whole Rumple crocodile business was effortlessly hilarious and exceptionally dangerous at the same time - extra props for managing to be one of the only few people to almost manage to kill the Dark One. </div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">3: Emma Swan/ Dark Swan</span></u></b></div>
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Well, Emma was always going to be high up on the list. After winning our hearts playing the slightly twisted Doctor Cameron in <i>HOUSE</i> (seriously, that girl had <i>issues</i>), Jennifer Morrison turned her sights towards another TV series - <i>OUAT</i> - and we couldn't be happier. The perfect Emma Swan, Morrison has shown her light and dark sides as the character and has plenty of juicy storylines to keep us interested, not to mention perfect on-screen chemistry with her co-stars (Swan Queen, anyone?). Keep on slaying, gal. </div>
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Again, give us a reason not to adore Regina Mills. Yes, she is certainly a questionable human-being and by no means a perfect character, but Lana Parrilla injects a certain energy into the role that you wouldn't quite get from anyone else. Sassy, sarcastic and sultry, Regina knows how to play the game and usually comes out top - although recently she's turned her talents towards becoming the 'good guy', and it sort of works for her. Although, we're not quite ready to give up the Evil Queen just yet. It's just such a fun and ferocious character, and Parrilla milks it for all its worth. </div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">1: Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold</span></u></b><br />
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Now, I wonder who could manage to top all other Storybrooke inhabitants? Sickly, shiny skin, sporting more leather than can be good for a person, and dancing around like a pixie on acid, it can only be the deliciously deadly Rumplestiltskin, a.k.a. Mr Gold. The first person to make 'dearie' an unnerving come-back, Rumple knows how to manipulate, murder and scheme - and apparently love too - although we're not quite sure of his definition of the latter. Robert Carlyle clearly has great fun playing the character, and his infectious presence makes the mysterious Mr. Gold one of the favourites on the show. Although we may never look that fabulous, one can certainly dream. </div>
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And there we have it! The Top 10 Once Upon A Time characters all neatly rounded up for your consumption. Although, as usual, if your fave hasn't made the list, check out our honourable mentions below for an extra slice of OUAT apple pie in your life.<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">6 Honourable Mentions: </span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Ruby/ Red Riding Hood</span></u></div>
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Yes, because we couldn't quite narrow it down to 5, we've gone with an even six, and first up is the celestial Ruby, a.k.a Red Riding Hood, a.k.a The Wolf. This ferocious gal doesn't feature often enough in the show (and we could all use a bit more Meghan Ory in our lives), but her free-spirited and adventurous nature attracted our attention from the beginning. One of the few characters in the series shown to be bisexual, and in a relationship with another woman (Dorothy, although we were feeling a Mulan vibe!), Ruby is a unique character who deserves to be mentioned. Plus her friendship with Snow is adorable (snowby anyone?). </div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Zelena</span></u></div>
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OK, let's pretext this with saying at first we weren't all that into Zelena. We liked the original plot with the Evil Queen and the sisterly connection, but then she just got more predictable and slightly annoying, but it's definitely gotten better as the show has progressed, and she's certainly a distinctive character. She's no Elphaba, but Rebecca Mader, you keep on doing you. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Mulan </u></span></div>
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Jamie Chung, sword-fighting, and she's the hero of China? Sign us up, please. Mulan is one of those characters who just has everything. Honour and talent with weaponry, Mulan is the Queen Bee of our hearts, and we love it when she pops up now and again - even if her failed romance with Aurora broke our hearts (can't we just leave Prince Phillip somewhere, pretty please?). We're still waiting for her to show up in season 6, so for now we'll have to make do with our other babes.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Merida </u></span></div>
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There really aren't enough red-headed princesses, these days. But don't worry, Merida (Amy Manson) is here to correct that, and this wee lass has been involved in plenty of interesting scenarios with The Dark One, as well as committing several arrow escapades and participating in plenty of Scottish action - more than enough to capture our attention.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Maleficent</u></span></div>
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On paper, this is a real winner, and it works even better on-screen. Kristin Bauer van Straten as Maleficent? Damn, that is fiery as fuck. Not much needs to be said on this, but Kristin absolutely kills it as one of the infamous wicked fairies, but she's not completely heartless as demonstrated by her whole daughter storyline arc, and this featured one of the most emotional performances in the entire series (oh Snow & Charming, what were you thinking?). Needless to say, no one can slay this dragon.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Cruella</u></span></div>
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Cruella is like that sassy, extravagant Aunt you don't really know much about, but who makes a point of rocking up in her vintage car decked out in high-end pieces at almost every family occasion. But hey, we love her for it. Completely villainous, a little bit batty, and deliciously dastardly, Victoria Smurfit's Cruella is one of the greats.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503938461741177440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-35015357976827255542016-07-16T14:10:00.000+01:002016-07-16T14:10:05.493+01:00The Top 10 Live-Action Disney Villains <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As promised, we have delved into the lands of live-action (TV & Film inclusive) disney to search for the most pristine villains, and we have assembled them here for you, right now, in this handy list. It's been said that villains are the most fun to play on screen, and we're pretty convinced with this line-up. This feature follows on from our previous '<a href="http://www.scenesisters.com/2016/06/the-top-10-animated-disney-villains.html">Top 10 Animated Disney Villains</a>'. Check out the lucky 10 who made it onto our list below, and 5 Honourable Mentions who didn't quite make the cut, below.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">10: Ramsley (The Haunted Mansion)</span></u></b><br />
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OK, first of all, who remembers this 2003 bizarre film based off (possibly the best) disney ride of all time? No? Well then, you're seriously missing out. Because this film had pretty much everything: ghosts, musical numbers, gothic sets - and a creepy ass butler. Yep, god knows who hired Ramsley in the first place, but he's putting in some serious effort to look this disturbing. If his usual butler garb wasn't enough, towards the latter part of he film, Ramsley dons a religious outfit complete with book and cane, descending down some steps in true holy fashion. We don't know what exactly is so appealing about Ramsley as a villain, but there's something truly haunting about the way in which Ramsley so effortlessly kills and pops up at random moments to terrify you. I mean, look at those eyes.</div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">9: The Red Queen (Alice in Wonderland)</span></b></u></div>
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Helena Bonham Carter as The Red Queen? Yes, please. Aside from nailing this part, the actress' affinity for kooky characters allowed her to portray a perfect Red Queen, complete with massive head just for good measure. Everyone knows all good villains have to have a signature phrase, and "off with their heads!" is certainly the Red Queen's. Treading the line between comical and homicidal, this particular villain is liable to change her mood at the drop of a <strike>hatter</strike> hat. Is it bad we kind of love her for it? Probably. </div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">8: Maleficent (Maleficent)</span></b></u></div>
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When everyone found out none other than Angelina Jolie was going to be playing malevolent Maleficent, we all pretty much lost our collective minds. And you really can't blame us. Aside from a superb performance, this particular Maleficent was a touch unique and different from the animated version, and seemed to possess more of a soul and emotion than the villainous original. Glowing green powers, fabulous red lipstick and some killer dialogue, this villainess can come to our party anytime. Promise we'll remember to mail out the invitations. </div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">7: Jadis, The White Witch (The Chronicles of Narnia)</span></b></u><br />
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I'm sensing a pattern between incredible actors and memorable villains. Jadis, The White Witch, is no exception. Tilda Swinton managed to capture the icy exterior of the character sublimely, and you get the feeling that she wouldn't hesitate to stab you to death with an ice pick if you pissed her off. So um...we'll just stay way, way, over here, in this beaver dam, and pray she doesn't find us, thanks. Cause y'know, 'aint nobody got time for Tumnus. </div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">6: Kylo Ren (The Force Awakens)</span></b></u><br />
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Whilst he was never going to be the next Darth Vader (soz, Adam), Kylo Ren is a notable villain in his own right. If killing your dad (um, spoiler?) doesn't earn you a spot on the Top 10 villain list, then nothing will, because that was savage, albeit predictable. We're not quite sure what we find more entertaining, his triple lightsaber (because...reasons), his childish fits of smashing things when plans don't go his way, or that swish-tacular cape (*Edna voice* NO CAPES!!). It's all too much for us to handle. Just don't force choke us for putting you at 6, please. </div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">5: Cruella de Vil/Glenn Close (101 Dalmatians)</span></b></u></div>
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While darling Cruella didn't quite make our animated disney villain list, Glenn Close's Cruella was always going to be up there - simply for sheer commitment and maniacal brilliance. She really brought a sense of madness and obsessiveness to the character that wasn't quite conveyed in the original, and let's face it - the 102 Dalmatians Cake Cruella is the funniest thing you will probably ever see (no promises). </div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">4: Captain Barbossa (Pirates of the Caribbean)</span></b></u></div>
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This was a tricky one between Davy Jones and Barbossa, but Geoffrey Rush really sold this character to us. A half-dead Pirate Captain with a side-kick monkey (Abu, anyone?) whose love of food (in this case, apples) rivals that of TWD's pudding-loving Carl? How could you get any better than that, seriously? And then there's the whole scary skeletal curse thing which is just creepy af. Poor guy can't ever have nutella again; that's just sad. But his ferocity and intelligence earns him a deserved place at number 4, and the character only got better as the franchise went on, even if others were lacklustre. </div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">3: The Evil Queen/Regina (Once Upon A Time)</span></u></b></div>
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You'd have to be a pretty big idiot not to put Regina Mills on this list. True, The Evil Queen featured on our previous list, but Lana Parrilla brought a new mood entirely to this bad-ass bitch. Aside from being utterly regal, this Queen is not afraid to physically rip out your heart if it suits her and crush it to death. As if this wasn't brutal enough, she's also partial to curses that erase your memory and trap you inside a world of her creation that doesn't really exist where you all have terrible jobs and there's no happy endings (real life, is that you calling?). Over the seasons of Once Upon A Time, Regina has done some incredibly questionable and manipulative things, but we just can't help but find her fascinating and sort of endearing? I mean, she did have Cora for a mother after all. Regardless, Ms Mills can sit on her throne at number three and be perfectly content. </div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">2: Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold (Once Upon A Time)</span></u></b></div>
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That gleeful face, though. If anyone could beat The Evil Queen to top spot, it would be Robert Carlyle's Rumplestiltskin, and he almost manages it. Coming it at number 2 is the incredibly sickly-looking Dark One, who has an addiction to magic, power, and deals. Knowing the price of everything, as both a mischievous magician and a pawnbroker, Mr. Gold can spot something or someone valuable from a mile away, and is seemingly always a step ahead of everyone else. Safe to say if you value your existence, you probably don't want to take a trip anywhere near his residence unless you want to suffer the consequences really, which could quite be anything he fancies at the time. Whilst he does have pretty hilarious mannerisms, this is one guy who is no fool. </div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">1: The Sanderson Sisters (Hocus Pocus)</span></u></b><br />
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Is it cheating if you have an evil trio as opposed to an individual? Probably, but you just can't separate these three beloved sisters, who are every bit as eccentric as you'd expect. Comprised of Winnie, Mary and Sarah, these sassy sisters each have unique qualities that make them some of the best villains in existence. As the leader of the gang, Winifred Sanderson has to keep everything together, and often is the brains of the operation and not afraid to tell her sisters that they're seriously messing up. She's also pretty damn quotable and sarcastic. Mary is the kooky sister who will use a vacuum cleaner as a broom when nothing's left, and fumbles around trying not to anger Winnie (although she's always on hand to make a few witty jokes). Sarah, on the other hand, is flirtatious, borderline desperate, and always on the hunt for someone to 'play with' although we're not really sure in what context. Regardless, the entire gang is so over the top that their villainous antics are both hilarious and seriously depraved; from sucking the life out of children to making people dance for eternity, there's nothing these gals won't do for their youth. All of which makes them spectacular villains who truly shine as a glorious trio (they certainly don't make us sick!). </div>
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That concludes this Top 10 feature, but never fear, there's more honourable mentions below to fire up your broomstick. Just be sure to keep your wits about you, as these villains are poised to strike at any moment. </div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">5 Honourable Mentions: </span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Warden Walker (Holes)</span></u></div>
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This one's a bit of a oldey, but it's timeless. Want to find long lost treasure that a schoolteacher buried? Why, set up a rehabilitation camp and recruit a bunch of criminal children, of course! And by recruit, we mean pretty much torture, dehydrate and make them dig up holes in a desert fruitlessly. Because nothing says rehabilitation like death! Oh, and always make sure you've got your deadly venomous nail polish on hand in case you need to smack your sidekicks up a little. You know, for motivation. </div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Captain Hook (Once Upon A Time)</span></u></div>
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It's not surprising that Once Upon A Time finds another one of their villains on our list, albeit in the Honourable Mentions. This version of Captain Hook is far more suave and dashing than the original, but every bit as vengeful and cunning. What's a good captain to do when the crocodile/Rumple slices off your hand? Poison him of course! One thing most villains have in common is their tendency towards murder, who knew. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Long John Silver (Muppets Treasure Island)</u></span></div>
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Tim Curry and the Muppets? Say it isn't so! Well, it is so, and in this version of Treasure Island, Long John Silver is ruthless and determined to once again find a treasure (money is a real motivator, hey?) and will more than willingly hang a puppet pig and a frog off a cliff to do so. Those are some words we never thought we'd say.<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Davy Jones (Pirates of the Caribbean)</span></u></div>
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If being cursed to be a giant squid man wasn't enough - aside from having tentacles as a beard - then we're betting having to cut out your own heart would be a real mood killer. Poor Davy Jones unfortunately has and has done both, and it's left him a little bit sour. No surprises there. So sour, he rides along the seas and kills plenty of people who cross him, much to the delight of his crustacean crew. Problems, he's got a few.<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Sharpay Evans (High School Musical)</span></u></div>
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A slightly different villain, Sharpay is the typical Queen Bee who wants to rule the singing world of her school and be a star. She's popular, self-centred and manipulative in order to get her own way. Whilst her villainous efforts may be on a smaller scale, she still makes life pretty tough for poor Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens. Just let the kids have their musical dance numbers, girl. (Sidenote: 'Bet On It' is a classic).Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503938461741177440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-47976178903245412972016-07-09T20:36:00.000+01:002016-07-09T20:36:08.525+01:00Now You See Me (2013) Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>"First rule of magic: always be the smartest person in the room."</i></div>
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In honour of<i> Now You See Me 2 (The Second Act)</i> being released in cinemas worldwide this week, we thought it fitting to revisit the film that started it all (aptly named <i>Now You See Me</i>), and provide you all of our thoughts and commentary on the American heist thriller.<br />
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<i>Now You See Me</i>, released in 2013, follows the story of 4 magicians, come together to form some sort of super-group – think <i>One Direction</i> but with <b>~magic~</b> and a creepy troupe name – the Four Horsemen. There’s J. Daniel “Danny” Atlas, aka The Lover (oh, did we mention they all have super creepy tarot card nicknames?), who is played by Jesse Eisenberg. Atlas is overwhelmingly arrogant, specialises in illusions, and seems completely clueless when it comes to women. Eisenberg plays him with all his usual peculiarity – albeit resonating a strange charisma and charm (<i>who knew?</i>). Atlas acts as the leader of the ragtag bunch of tricksters, although that’s not to say the other magicians don’t get their fair share of screen time.<br />
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Merritt McKinney aka The Hermit (Woody Harrelson) and Jack Wilder aka Death (Dave Franco) play key roles in the group’s plans, and Franco particularly is given the opportunity to shine as the sleight of hand illusionist, street magician and voice impressionist. Completing the quartet is Henley Reeves aka The High Priestess (Isla Fisher), an escape artist and stage magician, who also has the benefit of being Danny’s past lover (<i>awkward…</i>). <br />
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At the beginning of the film, the group receive information from an unknown benefactor and a year later, they are bang in the middle of the razzle-dazzle of Las Vegas, performing their first major show, funded by insurance big-cheese Arthur Tressler (Michael Caine). During their show, the magicians appear to transport one of the audience members to a bank vault, and using a seemingly rather elaborate fan system, the money is drawn into the vents of the bank, and suddenly the Las Vegas audience is showered with bills. After the euros are shown to be real, and the vault in Paris is revealed to be missing its recent shipment of euros (<i>eh gad!!</i>), the Feds are called in to investigate.<br />
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Cue the entrance of FBI agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) and Interpol agent Alma Dray (Melanie Laurent). Dylan Rhodes appears to be your typical bumbling buffoon. He falls into literally every trap the Four Horseman set for him, and oh boy, his antics seem to have no end. <u><b>*Cue spoilers*</b></u><br />
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Let’s break it down.<br />
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(1) He tries to interview them and gets handcuffed to a table and his phone (and crucial info) is stolen.<br />
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(2) He follows them to their New Orleans show and shouts the buzzword as they try to escape at the end causing several audience members to rugby tackle him.<br />
(3) He engages in hand to hand combat with Wilder (despite being severely underqualified) and sustains multiple injuries, lets his partner hands almost be eaten by a garbage disposal, pursues Wilder in a vehicle with all the road safety of Wiley Coyote, & is fooled yet again by the Horseman, believing Wilder to be blown to hell in a car crash.<br />
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(4) He follows the wrong lorry when trying to protect a safe full of money, and leaves the horseman able to steal the dough.<br />
(5) He makes numerous tactical and strategic errors, not to mention he absolutely fails to heed the advice of professional-magician-debunker and altogether bad-ass Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman), and ultimately fails to apprehend the magicians.<br />
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What a guy right?<br />
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Who could be <i>that</i> stupid? <br />
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Well, apparently this is just an unbelievably ridiculous plot device to hide the true identity of the anonymous benefactor and ‘fifth horseman’ member. Who is it? Yep, you’ve guessed it. Grade A bumbling buffoon and altogether worst FBI agent ever Dylan Rhodes.<br />
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...I’m sorry, <i><u>what?</u></i><br />
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Despite making genuinely no sense to the narrative of the story Is Rhodes a magician? – he seems to display no magic – apart from apparating out of Thaddeus’ cell at the end, Dumbledore style. How does he know about the Eye – the mysterious magic organisation – and what actually is it? Why become an FBI agent, especially in this division, when your overall plan is to aid the people you are tasked with apprehending? Why wait a gazillion years to exact your revenge on behalf of your father? Why engage in an extremely bland relationship with your co-worker? I have questions that <b>NEED</b> answering.<br />
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For me, this film was satisfactory up until the last 5 minutes when it’s revealed Ruffalo’s character is the main man. Ruffalo is a fine actor – yet he absolutely fails to portray any of the complexity needed to be some sort of magician mastermind. He’s very good at staring at you with his puppy dog eyes, but solely staring does not equate to acting (yes, we’re talking to you, Twilight). With this knowledge, the entire previous plot seems absurd and meaningless. We are not invested enough in the background of Rhodes to care at all about his plight, his sufferings or his motivations, and ultimately this is where the film falls short.<br />
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The introduction to all characters (not just Rhodes, although it is a particular fault with regard to him) is very brief and we have very little background information to go on. Henley and Danny’s relationship is mentioned frequently in the film yet their chemistry is not evident (despite the best efforts of the actors). World-class veteran actors such as Caine and Freeman are not used to their full potential and the film is worse for it. <br />
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The visuals are impressive, and the cinematography is something to marvel at, however, even these aspects cannot save the film, and despite all the illusion and mystery, the final trick feels hollow.<br />
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It is Danny who notes ‘The more you look, the less you see’, but in the case of <i>Now You See Me</i>, the more you look, the less you want to see. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15187150227866532677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-64024822992638253912016-07-08T15:43:00.000+01:002016-07-08T15:43:26.315+01:00Nightshades - Melissa F. Olson [Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Book: Nightshades</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Author: Melissa F. Olson</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Published: 19th July 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Publisher: Tor</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pages: 176</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Source: eArc provided by the publisher via NetGalley</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rating: 3.5/5 stars</span><br />
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Coming into this book, I wasn't really sure what to expect - the only thing I knew was that there were vampire-type creatures, that weren't your usual vampires <i><b>thank god.</b></i><br />
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<i><b><br /></b></i>
The book follows the events after a series of people have gone missing, and federal agents have been murdered. The BPI (Bureau of Paranormal Investigations) are tasked with apprehending the culprits. The main protagonist, Alex McKenna is tasked with investigating the crimes and apprehending the culprits. McKenna is new on the scene and has a severely limited amount of time to solve the murders and make sense of the shade-related killings. The shades are 'vampire-esque' creatures, except way more violent and creepy than you're likely to encounter in your usual <i>~twilight~</i> era novel.<br />
<br />
This all leads to McKenna tracking down Rosalind 'Lindy' Frederick - a shade trying to maintain a low profile - who works the night shift as a translator in an office.<br />
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To start with, the premise was intriguing and I appreciated the unique take on vampires (no sparkles here, guys). The opening is suitably engaging and the creatures are mysterious and intriguing; there is a real draw to continue reading & not put the book down.<br />
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The characters are likable and make for an unusual pairing, and I appreciated the gender balance. Alex is smart, determined and a relatively level-headed character. Lindy is quick-thinking, calculating and altogether bad-ass. She recognises the weaknesses of her own race (they are predators but they need prey to survive) and tries to perfect her human appearance by copying the behaviour of her co-workers. I thought her actions were really interesting and definitely showed a lot of tact (<i>what can I say, I prefer a smart female protagonist</i>).<br />
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After McKenna's offer of working together, she's understandably apprehensive - I mean, if she agrees to help it's basically like signing her own death warrant - there's a vampire hierarchy, you know, and shit will go down if you try to make waves. I really enjoyed their pairing - they make a good team and the balance is just right; there's a little light romance but nothing too overpowering.<br />
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The pacing is reasonably good, however due to the length (this is essentially a novella) the characters are introduced fairly quickly (cutting costs on characterisation and background), and we are plunged straight into the main story-line/action, which can make the plot feel slightly rushed or incomplete.<br />
<br />
Ultimately, this is a relatively enjoyable read (although would have benefited from being a full-length novel). The characters are endearing and intriguing, but their background, motivations and development are sacrificed to make way for the main action, making it slightly difficult to become invested in the outcome. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15187150227866532677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-9013616006243876062016-07-07T13:32:00.000+01:002016-07-07T13:32:19.813+01:00The Legend of Tarzan (2016) Review <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRp7bKc1_f-EyFB6Cehr2a-tWSwCJxyVWJw9cDzX8u2P2dYnhLrLQ61z6n8wwB0XbzWTL8jLGG59rJu-oVL4Fnx6l1m82kUFvfaj0D5_dWabXPSamzfZkcpVXuvuTOMMEmXW8Z3fkDCs/s1600/legend+of+tarzan+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRp7bKc1_f-EyFB6Cehr2a-tWSwCJxyVWJw9cDzX8u2P2dYnhLrLQ61z6n8wwB0XbzWTL8jLGG59rJu-oVL4Fnx6l1m82kUFvfaj0D5_dWabXPSamzfZkcpVXuvuTOMMEmXW8Z3fkDCs/s400/legend+of+tarzan+9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"He is no normal man. He was thought to be an evil spirit, a ghost in the trees."</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We’ve all heard the story. Man meets woman. They both fall
in love. You go home, meet the parents – only to find it’s a family of
gorillas. You probably all know the standard story of Tarzan (made famous by
Disney, no doubt), but this one’s a little different, but has plenty of nods to
the original stories, created by Edgar Rice Burroughs, minus the Phil Collins
classics. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<i>The Legend of Tarzan</i>
follows John Clayton III, formerly known as Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård), as he
journeys back to his home-land alongside his wife, Jane Porter Clayton (Margot
Robbie), to help George Washington Williams (Samuel L. Jackson) uncover
slave-trading schemes. Naturally, there are many plans afoot, most of them
being instigated by Captain Léon Rom (Christoph Waltz), who has aligned himself
with Chief Mbonga (Djimon Hounsou), a vengeful tribe leader who controls the
diamond region, and who wants Tarzan dead. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAHf9EsGogMlLO_f0EtxZMixJI4F9dRnvtTEU4tlE2HKjAfNhHJKaDmSMBJd4dqU0FwFDJm8EVl6e4SBdmFJJ6w-HHzElMyVA1Dl75D58izNBATYM0C9rKd7_mYBEIjGcAB6SJE3JTmg/s1600/legend+of+tarzan+1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAHf9EsGogMlLO_f0EtxZMixJI4F9dRnvtTEU4tlE2HKjAfNhHJKaDmSMBJd4dqU0FwFDJm8EVl6e4SBdmFJJ6w-HHzElMyVA1Dl75D58izNBATYM0C9rKd7_mYBEIjGcAB6SJE3JTmg/s400/legend+of+tarzan+1.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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Predictably, Alexander Skarsgård swings in to play the
titular character, with all the bravado and vigour you’d expect from the
notorious ape man, along with an abundance of convincingly menacing stares to
make up for the lack of dialogue. Not content to play a docile Jane, Margot Robbie
attempts to give the character some clout, but isn’t given a great deal of
material to work with; managing to captivate with what little she has clearly
fought for (kicking, spitting, punching, marking sassy comments), but never
fully reaching her true potential. Regardless, when Robbie & Skarsgård do
meet on-screen, their chemistry is effortlessly tangible, and make for a
passionate pair. <o:p></o:p><br />
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For much of the film, Skarsgård & Jackson seem to embark
on a jungle bromance, traipsing through the jungle lovingly, patching each
other up and cracking jokes along the way. It really shouldn’t work, but it
rather oddly does, as Jackson provides a sense of <i>Django</i> humour, guns blazing, whilst Skarsgård offsets the balance
with natural heart and spirit.<br />
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After a lacklustre performance as the villain in Spectre,
Waltz hits the mark as Léon Rom, with his suave white hat and trusty choking
rosary in hand. Commanding, ruthless and with a certain sense of cavalier
befitting a man in his position, Rom is the villain you definitely want to see
go down, Captain Hook style, and Waltz delivers. However, when you have some of
the greats in your arsenal, you should probably use them more than <i>The Legend of Tarzan</i> does, and quite
frankly, this is one of those films that heavily relies on its actors to elevate
above standard blockbuster fare. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Fortunately, with director David Yates at the helm alongside
cinematographer Henry Braham, the two manage to create a visually breath-taking
movie that revels in its lush surroundings, cascading waterfalls and
atmospheric animal acoustics; an impressive feat considering the majority of
filming took place in England. Nevertheless, each destination, animal and
environment feels as if it is real, and this is essential in a movie that
focuses so heavily on heart, life, and freedom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzOlb2R96SeSCMNp1wQQFUL7UWTRhkxA92iBHKYdbv-MLLfRSPytKaMYqqXTBq9qm9vvQOMd7ZgISA3HmIRWCqWeieubZkjqxy4h2QoWesWvXjMbBKLPUKsNXscGrwT4ToYk3U40Mvjs/s1600/legend+of+tarzan+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzOlb2R96SeSCMNp1wQQFUL7UWTRhkxA92iBHKYdbv-MLLfRSPytKaMYqqXTBq9qm9vvQOMd7ZgISA3HmIRWCqWeieubZkjqxy4h2QoWesWvXjMbBKLPUKsNXscGrwT4ToYk3U40Mvjs/s400/legend+of+tarzan+8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Whilst <i>The Legend of
Tarzan</i> isn’t particularly ground-breaking or original, it is a feverishly invigorating,
gorilla-fighting ride that is visually astounding – and one that is certainly propelled
to higher heights in the trusty arms of its actors.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503938461741177440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-73793386765097181332016-07-06T16:45:00.002+01:002016-07-06T16:45:22.276+01:00The Shadow Hour (The Girl at Midnight #2) - Melissa Grey [Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Book: The Shadow Hour (The Girl at Midnight #2)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Author: Melissa Grey</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Published: 12th July 2016</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Publisher: Atom</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pages: 368</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Source: eArc provided by the publisher via NetGalley</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rating: 3/5 stars</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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The second in <i>The Girl at Midnight</i> series, this book follows Echo & the gang as they face the consequences of their actions from the last novel. As before, there are a lot of good parts to this book, that I definitely enjoyed, but, as with the first, there are a few parts that felt a little disjointed.</div>
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In terms of the writing, as usual, Grey manages to weave a picture of the world that is truly bursting with colour: every setting feels decadent and vibrant, and there is a real diversity in terms of settings - from Scotland to China, the characters definitely go on a journey. The general writing style is one of my favourite parts of the book, especially the descriptions of the locations, such as Avalon. </div>
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Moving on to the characters, I definitely have my favourites. Echo is a fairly likable heroine, although even she does make the occasional dumb decision that has me thinking <i><b>'what are you doing??'</b></i> - but, she has had to grow up fairly quickly, so she's bound to make some errors, in all fairness (although sharing is caring, and she should definitely share her inside thoughts and feelings with the other members of Team Echo). Overall, she is fairly consistent in her character and I especially enjoyed the parts concerning the background of her mother as this really helped to add more depth to her character.</div>
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With regard to her companions - the main male characters of the novel (as in the first) are Caius and Rowan. They are both enjoyable in their own ways - Caius is brave, loyal, and his relationship with his sister is intriguing and engaging. On the other hand, Rowan is funny, sassy, always has a quick retort and is definitely more likable (to me) in this novel. However, do I think either of them are a suitable romantic interest for Echo? No, I don't. There are so many issues with their respective relationships (the Rowan/Ruby incident and the Caius/Rose saga), and therefore both potential love interests seem unattainable to me. Personally, I would love Echo to just end up with nobody, and live for herself, although I doubt that will happen (but a girl can dream). </div>
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The crowning glory of this book, for me, comes from the peripheral or supporting characters, particularly - you've guessed it - Jasper and Dorian. I love their unlikely relationship and in this book we finally get a bit more closure regarding their will they/won't they status. I swear to all known (and unknown) deities, if either of them die, I will be absolutely livid.</div>
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Another enjoyable character is Ivy; she's absolutely more proactive in this book, and has a good amount of character growth continuing on from the events of the previous novel. Her relationship with Echo, and The Ala is sweet and very familial, her and Echo are definitely reminiscent of sisters, and I liked their concern for each other. </div>
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However, some characters I felt were a little underdeveloped or definitely had a lot more to give (and I hope this will be rectified in the final book) - and specifically, I'm talking about both Caius' sister, dragon prince & altogether kick-ass woman Tanith, and a new character Quinn. Quinn is a warlock and when we are introduced to his character, there's a lot of mystery and intrigue, and he absolutely has the best dialogue consisting of snide remarks and a heap of sass. However, as the story progresses, he is slightly relegated to the background, and I really do hope he will appear more in the final book as there's definitely more to explore there.</div>
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In terms of Tanith, I am so fascinated by her and Caius' relationship, however throughout the book she comes off a little <i>~pantomime villain~ </i>for me, and I'm still rather unsure as to her motivations - for instance, it's mentioned several times by Caius that he doesn't believe her to be evil, yet her actions follow the classic villain narrative; she is also predictable and rather shortsighted. Again, hopefully this will be illuminated a bit more in the next book. </div>
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Finally, the plot pacing is slightly uneven. The beginning and the end of the book are solid, however the middle wavers slightly in terms of direction - there are a lot of good scenes, don't get me wrong, but the narrative feels less focused, and some major plot points can be seen a mile off. There's a lot of varied scenery, however it feels a little like <i>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1</i> (the movie), in that the characters in <i>The Shadow Hour</i> visit a bunch of a different and interesting places, but tend to go through the same procedure whilst there - i.e. arrive, look for something, leave, and repeat. I would have enjoyed slightly more variety in the plotting, although, this is not necessarily uncharacteristic of the majority of second-in-a-series books. </div>
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Overall, this is an engaging, colourfully written book with lots of potential, and although it falls slightly short of its aspirations, there is a lot of promise for the final installment. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15187150227866532677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-82615367825450991802016-07-05T16:34:00.000+01:002016-07-05T16:34:14.679+01:00Luna Shadows - Summertime [EP Review] <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Chances are when we say ‘Luna Shadows’, the images that are conjured resemble more “moonlight evenings” than “pop singer”, but nevertheless, this multi-instrumentalist is proving difficult to forget.<br />
The Los Angeles-based artist has risen to low-key prominence amongst online communities for her ethereal, care-free and artistically inspired music that she herself has labelled as “Echo Park Pop”, named after the idyllic location in Central L.A.<br />
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A forward-thinking woman, Shadows can usually be found writing, performing, recording, producing, engineering - and generally creating her intrinsically designed music, but has recently recruited indie producers Brad and Thom (The Naked and Famous) to assist her in this momentous ride. Indeed, Shadows’ personal style is representative of her lyrical content and musical vibe - it’s a bit pop-goth-chic, with an emphasis on chunky platform footwear not dissimilar to Charli XCX. But of course, this is offset by an adherence to pastel palettes for the body of her outfits. These ensembles that Shadows wears are very indicative of her musical content, which is often tinged with melancholy statements and expressions, wrapped up in a saddening romantic bow. Truly, these few first examples of Shadows’ music suggest that she has the hallmarks of a star, but can she make the dream a reality?<br />
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Well, if <i>Summertime</i> is anything to go by, then we should think so. The end product, “made in garages and bedrooms under the palm trees of Echo Park” is a captivating EP that utilises Shadows' enticing voice to its advantage. Starting off the album is the illustrious ‘Hallelujah California’ which really makes a mark. With breezy vocals reminiscent of Lana Del Rey, and an emphasis on electro funk like Halsey, there is something particularly ear-catching about Shadows’ delivery and emphasis on the picturesque. Cascading beats open up to a more mature second verse with enigmatic depth. The song effortlessly draws you in with its atmospheric acoustics and siren-like vocals that gives you a real feel for the singer's world.<br />
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Following on from this is 'Cry Wolf', an anthem in its own right, that favours the mid-tempo, with breathy, electronic vocals from Shadows reminiscent of CHVRCHES. ‘Cherry’ is up next, and follows a similar structure, but is far more vibrant and serene, with a powerful chorus - "'<i>Cause darling if you call me/ I'll come running (Try and stop me)</i>" - that shows how diverse Shadows can be. Recent release, 'Waves' shows no sign of dampening the album's success, benefitting from gorgeous piano chords and echoing vocals that are truly euphoric, and capture the beauty of 'Summertime' aesthetically, but are underpinned with heartache and emotion; focusing on the darker sides of summertime romance.<br />
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Overall, this is highly promising material from the up-and-coming artist, and we think she's one to watch on the music scene. Ultimately, <i>Summertime</i> is a fresh wave of new flavour, tinged with a solemn sadness that Shadows echoes so well in her vocals, that benefits from beautiful instrumentals and feels very raw and emotive at its core, despite the seemingly glossy acoustics.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503938461741177440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-77380779693198744042016-07-04T15:32:00.001+01:002016-07-04T15:32:43.444+01:00The Top 10 - Words of Wisdom Quotes from Dr. Gregory House [House M.D.]<div class="MsoNormal">
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Ahh, House. Our favourite sassy head of diagnostics, with a knack for identifying puzzling diseases, but a seriously questionable bed-side manner. Yes, House M.D. was the medical drama for people who didn't usually like medical dramas. Fronted by the incomparable Hugh Laurie as the enigmatic Dr. Gregory House, the show was a huge hit and has amassed fans from all over the globe. But hey - the stellar acting and intriguing illnesses weren't the only pull - the show included some of the best dialogue ever seen on tv, with Dr House proving to be one of the most quotable characters with his quick-witted and snarky comments.<br />
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So, we thought we would revisit the classic medical drama and put together for you a list of the top 10 ~words of wisdom~ quotes as spoken by the main man himself. However, due to the true quotability of the show (and how <u>extremely</u> hard it was to pick our favourites) - this will be one in a series of compilation articles on the best lines from House M.D. So although this article focuses on words of wisdom, or general advice given by dear old Greg during the run of the show, other articles will focus on the <i>top 10 clinic patient quotes</i>, <i>top 10 times Cuddy brought her sass A-game</i>, <i>top 10 Wilson quotes</i>, and the <i>top 10 interactions between House and his main team</i> (and these will be linked here once they become available - so keep checking!)<br />
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But, without further ado, here is our list of the top 10, best 'words of wisdom' quotes from Dr Gregory House, of House M.D...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>10. No work, plz</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">'People choose the paths that grant them the greatest rewards for the least amount of effort.' </span><b>(Season 1, Pilot)</b></div>
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Ahh - House, the early years. Back before shit got <i style="font-weight: bold;">real</i>, House was a grumpy, brilliant diagnostician (albeit less well known amongst his peers), but he still knew how to deliver some excellent sass and dish out that solid world advice. Here he is explaining the complexity of humanity - that we're all just lazy shits who try to do as little as possible for maximum reward. Too true, House, too true. </div>
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<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>9) Secret Santa</u></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">'Gifts allow us to demonstrate exactly how little we know about a person.' </span><b>(Season 4, Episode 10)</b></div>
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Greg hits the nail on the head in this scene in which he approaches the topic of gift giving. I mean haven't we all received our share of dodgy gifts in our lifetime in which it is clear that 0% thought was given? Another pair of socks, anyone?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>8) Road safety</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">'You can have all the faith you want in spirits, and the afterlife, and heaven and hell, but when it comes to this world, don't be an idiot. 'Cause you can tell me you put your faith in God to get you through the day, but when it comes time to cross the street, I know you look both ways.' </span><b>(Season 1, Episode 5)</b></div>
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House had a turbulent relationship with religion during the run of the show, and the Season 1 episode 'Damned If You Do' gave us some real insight into his gripes with such beliefs, particularly Christianity. Here, House provides us with some sound road safety advice about not relying on God to have your back in every scenario you encounter in daily life, and we're inclined to believe him in this respect.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>7) It's a wonderful life</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">'Life is pain! I wake up every morning, I'm in pain. I go to work in pain. You know how many times I just wanted to give up? How many times I've thought about ending it?' </span><b>(Season 8, Episode 21)</b></div>
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We love House best when he's having one of his signature meltdowns over the idiocy of humanity, but this one was a bit <i>too </i>real for us. In this scene, House is having a blast at Taub (who is often on the receiving end of the abuse) about Wilson's decisions regarding his cancer treatment. House doesn't want his friend to give up (and neither do we!) - so we understand his frustrations that culminate in the delivery of this line, providing a frank commentary on dealing with life and suffering. Light-hearted and cheery never was House's ~thing~. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>6) Crime of passion</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">'Miracle of love? You're over twice as likely to be killed by a person you love than by a stranger.' </span><b>(Season 1, Episode 5)</b></div>
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House is always on hand to deliver a fun fact or statistic, and this time is no different. Here, House provides a valuable life lesson on how to <strike>get away with</strike> avoid murder. Well, you know that old saying - there's always a thin line between love and hate.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>5) House vs God</u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">'If you talk to God, you're religious. If God talks to you, you're psychotic.' </span><b>(Season 2, Episode 19)</b></div>
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Another day, another sassing by Dr. House. As usual, God is his target here, and he has no problem pointing out the blurry distinction between religious belief and mental illness. But as we know, House is an equal-rights offender, and religious people are only one drop in the ocean of his sea of insults, or something like that.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>4) #Too many feels</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">'People's brains stop working, when they think they're gonna lose someone they love.' </span><b>(Season 6, Episode 21)</b></div>
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House is speaking from experience here (*cough*Huddy*cough*) when he delivers some real commentary on the enigma that is love. We feel you, Greg, we feel you. Love can make you do crazy things, like crash a car into someone's front room. (Too soon?)<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>3) Inception</u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">'Time changes everything. That's what people say, it's not true. Doing things changes things. Not doing things leaves things exactly as they were.' </span><b>(Season 3, Episode 12)</b></div>
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Not one to stray away from life's big questions, here the good doctor tackles the concept of time, and whether it does actually heal all wounds. Falling firmly on the side of 'no', House instead encourages people to be proactive in their recovery, as opposed to just sitting around waiting to feel better (maybe take some of your own advice there, eh House?)<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>2) I see your true colours shining through</u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">'People never change. They just become more of who they really are.' </span><b>(Season 8, Episode 22)</b></div>
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Like Batman taking off his costume to reveal Bruce Wayne, people never change, they only reveal more of what they are underneath, or at least that's House's take on things. Who can say if he's right or wrong, or if these are just the delusional ramblings of a man about to be burnt alive in a house fire. A poignant exploration of humanity or merely the effects of smoke inhalation? You decide.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>1) Allergic to the truth</u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-indent: -18pt;">'It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what. I don't ask why patients lie, I just assume they all do. Truth begins in lies. I've found that when you want to know the truth about somebody, <i>that</i> someone is probably the last person you should ask. Reality is almost always wrong. Everybody lies. </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><b>(Season 1, Episode 21)</b></span></div>
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Well, here it is. We've reached the end of our top 10 countdown, and claiming the number one spot is potentially the most quotable phrase that encompasses the whole programme - everybody lies. Being mentioned countless times throughout the run of the series, the quote was really dissected in the Season 1 episode <i>Three Stories</i>, in which we got a glimpse into how House operates and why he is a big fan of getting his team to break into people's houses and go through their junk - for their own good of course! And whilst House places little faith in humanity, he is often proved to be correct - after all, how many patients in the shows lifespan would have actually ended up causing their own death by withholding the truth of their circumstances from House & Co? We're guessing <b>A LOT</b>. Kudos to you Dr House, your cynicism is much appreciated.<br />
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So there we have it! Our top 10 countdown of words of wisdom quotes from Dr. Gregory House of House M.D. is concluded! Do you agree with our choices? What is your number 1 favourite quote or piece of advice given by House? Let us know in the comments & be sure to watch this space for future articles featuring the best lines and dialogue of the A-team of Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15187150227866532677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-26893229912005730062016-07-03T20:48:00.000+01:002016-07-03T20:52:32.547+01:00Absolutely Fabulous (2016) Review <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"You have killed Kate Moss."<br />"Shit."</i></span></td></tr>
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<br />What’s a girl to do when your <i>Absolutely Fabulous</i> television series ends but you want to get the whole gang back together for another alcohol-induced ride? One word, darlings: movie. Ah, the enchanting allure of the silver screen, how many television adaptations has it given us? Probably more than we care to admit (or acknowledge), but for some reason, they keep on coming.<br />
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This time around it’s the shockingly self-indulgent Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley) and Edina Monsoon (Jennifer Saunders) who grace our screens, with a shell-shocker of a story. Needing a new client for her PR – and not content with the likes of Lulu or Emma ‘Baby’ Bunton – Edina sets out to recruit the glowing Kate Moss into her fold. Things don’t go too well though, as she manages to ‘push’ her into the Thames and kill her.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes, the oh-so-fabulous Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders return as the questionable and OTT duo, Patsy Stone and Edina Monsoon, launching themselves into new and dramatic situations, and thankfully, the pair have plenty of bubbly chemistry; just like a good champagne, darling! Lumley’s Patsy is a train-wreck of a character but that’s precisely why it’s so easy to love her – you simply can’t pry her away from a ciggy even when she’s about to drown to death. Evening out the ratio of utterly tragic is Saunders’ Edina, who whilst finding herself in sticky situations manages to bring the humour, which you’d expect from someone as seasoned as Saunders. Supporting the two are plenty of familiar (and new) faces, such as the wacky Bubble (Jane Horrocks) who commands attention in her inflatable, zany outfits, and Saffy Monsoon (Julia Sawalha), the long-suffering daughter who provides a structured, solid ground for a film containing a plethora of personalities. Every performance is over emphasised, extravagant and shrouded in self-mocking humour that sails the film to success – at least for the first half.<br />
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The problem is while the film may be aesthetically stunning and benefit from absolutely fabulous performances, there isn’t much going on plot-wise. Whilst the first half of the film actually functions relatively well, we delve into the realms of ridiculousness when the gals go to the French Riviera, and suddenly everything is poorly paced and descending into lunacy. There’s a quick marriage with seemingly random follow-up that is grossly out of place, a ludicrous chase scene reminiscent of Johnny English, and a brief karaoke interlude at a drag bar. Needless to say, it plays out like drugged up fever dream that we wish we could wake up from.<br />
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You can read the rest of this absolutely fabulous review, on <a href="https://wemakemoviesonweekends.com/2016/07/03/absolutely-fabulous-the-movie-review/"><b>We Make Movies On Weekends. </b></a><br />
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Thanks, sweeties! x</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503938461741177440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-12961469351734015962016-07-02T18:30:00.000+01:002016-07-02T18:30:18.946+01:00Bat For Lashes - The Bride [Album Review] <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAmvlo1M8SNAmgmPrkp-5Iteh5qQVYEx2gpNWO7AN8BGNPQAJVTiM-BIym4gxH4lmRz9luZyjfqRz2MxunJcdF8XqiAgp3f39cHjfev-YkPTJX6HZzZUNX803L133nwFkVuQ-lgJCKJ4/s1600/BAT+FOR+LASHES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAmvlo1M8SNAmgmPrkp-5Iteh5qQVYEx2gpNWO7AN8BGNPQAJVTiM-BIym4gxH4lmRz9luZyjfqRz2MxunJcdF8XqiAgp3f39cHjfev-YkPTJX6HZzZUNX803L133nwFkVuQ-lgJCKJ4/s400/BAT+FOR+LASHES.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It has been a considerable time since English singer-instrumentalist
Natasha Khan’s last album outing – 4 years to be exact. This <i>The Haunted Man</i> follow-up is another
concept piece, with Khan assuming the persona of ‘The Bride’, a bereaved woman
who loses her husband in a car accident, and embarks on a solemn honeymoon
alone. Whilst the concept conjures up images of popular deadly brides, this
particular bride is far more self-reflective. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Peaking early, ‘Joe’s Dream’ is a tragic track that follows
the accounts of husband ‘Joe’ who has a dream of himself dying; “what does it
mean/ the bad things that I’ve seen?”. It’s a bit Sandra Bullock in
Premonition, but it works. Particularly poignant and spooky, Khan portrays the
waterfall of emotions admirably through her vocal delivery, reminiscent of
former track, ‘Daniel’. ‘In God’s House’ details The Bride waiting at the
church for her lover to arrive, as she slowly realises he’s died in a car crash,
Khan takes this opportunity to hauntingly belt out heart-wrenching verses of ‘Fire,
Fire, Fire’ in her trademark sky-scraping falsetto. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Moving onto mid-album, ‘Sunday Love’ is evocative of ‘Pearl’s
Dream’ and ‘Prescilla’, showing a return of the more classical Bat For Lashes than
the one we have been treated to in previous years. It’s ethereal, and
surprisingly upbeat in tempo for a song crafted in grief, and Khan makes sure
to welcome you into her dreamy pop world where anything can happen, and
everything is acoustically astounding. On ‘Never Forgive The Angels’ Khan
demonstrates how personal and intimate this particular album is, by surrounding
listeners in deafening and atmospheric drum-guitar beats that bewilder the
senses. It should be noted that Khan has a particular knack for creating
enticing music that drowns out the outside world, washing away the immaterial,
and forcing you into a land of self-reflection – and this song is the perfect
example of her flexing her skills as a musical artist. <o:p></o:p><br />
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As we traipse into ‘Close Encounters’, Khan again opts for
intimate and consuming baroque pop, whilst simultaneously showing off some of
the most delicate and haunting classical beats that feature on the entire
album, rising up and unifying perfectly with Khan’s breathy, beautiful
falsetto. A particular gem is when The Bride fantasises about intimate encounters
with her former lover; altogether a bit disturbing, but oddly charming. After all, “You know
that I’ll love you, until the stars don’t shine/ you know that you’ll always
feel this heart of mine” are very touching, personal lyrics, and Khan is
formidable in the emotional departments. <br />
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If you thought the album couldn’t get any weirder, then
prepare to be astounded on ‘Widow’s Peak’, a kooky and essentially sing-speak
song that is vivid and dramatic, and for all intents and purposes, may as well
have its own Beyoncé-esque accompanying video. After all, this is an
experience, not just a mere song. It’s almost like you can picture Khan laying
down in the middle of an isolated desert as the moon stands proudly in the sky,
whilst a storm passes over ahead, and rain cascades down a rocky shelter (too
much?). While this is ultimately impressive, it’s after this track that things
get a bit despondent. Tracks start to blend in with one another and we’ve lost
the sense of immediacy and individuality of the beginning of the album, until
we slide back into ‘In Your Bed’ and ‘I Will Love Again’, which changes the
tone. While earlier tracks are reminiscent of a drifting daydream, these are
more solid and grounded in reflection, with Khan’s distinctive voice seeming
more cemented and purposeful. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Overall, whilst at times Khan’s commitment to her carefully
crafted concepts can hinder <i>The Bride</i>’s
full potential as a grieving widow, the ways in which she intertwines her
mesmerising voice with the dark, undercurrent themes more than makes up for it,
creating something that is both seductive and imaginative. While it’s certainly
no <i>Kill Bill</i>, <i>The Bride</i> proves to be haunting and heart-achingly bittersweet.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503938461741177440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-91271185311850705692016-07-01T13:14:00.004+01:002016-07-01T13:14:48.805+01:00A Promise of Fire (#1) - Amanda Bouchet [Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Book: A Promise of Fire</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Author: Amanda Bouchet</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Published: 2nd August 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pages: 448</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Source: eArc provided by the publisher via NetGalley</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rating: 5/5 stars</span><br />
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Wow, I was not expecting to enjoy this book so much. True, I had heard good things, so I was hopeful, but this book is amazing and surpassed even my (sometimes) high expectations. I loved it so much, it's almost like it was written with me in mind.</div>
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<b>So, <i>I'll break it down as to why I loved this book.</i></b></div>
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Firstly, there is a heap of interesting mythology. Now if there's one thing you should know it's that I <b>LOVE </b>books with mythology in them. My favourite being Greek mythology - and guess what? This book has an absolute abundance of Greek mythology and references. Be still, my beating heart. There's mentions of Poseidon, Zeus, Hades, and a bunch of mythical creatures like Cerberus, and dragons. I mean <i>DRAGONS</i>, people (!) - this book is astounding. I love the way the mythology is woven into the story and it feels like there's so much more coming in this regard and I am very, very eager for the next book. </div>
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Moving on to the characters, what's not to love? Cat, our lead, is such an enigma, and a mystery. She's bad-ass, brave, and super sassy, which is something I truly loved. She's quirky and different and altogether endearing. She has an intriguing backstory that I can't wait to hear more about in the next book, and her relationship with Griffin is lovely. It's a slow burn, and I like that; there's no insta-love here (at least on her part), and I really appreciate that. She's not without her flaws, she's rude and bold and blunt, but she's strong in her beliefs and loyal in her heart. I loved all the elements of mythology surrounding her character and couldn't help but root for her from the get go. </div>
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Griffin is the classic dark mysterious stranger - he's a ruthless warlord who's used to getting his way, is a bit overpowering and doesn't sway easily, but that's all part of his charm. Although I found his behaviour at times perplexing, there is definitely more to his character than we are shown in this book, especially his relationship/connection to the gods. I enjoyed his aspirations in terms of how he wants to rule the kingdom, even if they were altogether a bit naive. His character is really complimentary to Cat and they work together nicely. Their relationship forms the crux of the book and I was glad that it gelled so well, as it's a really important part of the story and takes up a fair few pages.</div>
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Other notable characters, for me, included Andromeda - I can't wait to hopefully see more of her character in the sequel. She's very complex, intriguing and downright cruel, and the story of her family is violent and brutal, but utterly engrossing. Another standout for me is Selena, and again, I hope to see more of her in the future. Her relationship to Hades was interesting, but I loved how motherly and protective she was of Cat and how concerned she was for her welfare, it was really cute and touching. </div>
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Ultimately, I would call this book a fantasy-romance, and normally I'm not one for the romance, but it's a testament to the excellent writing skills of Bouchet that I thoroughly enjoyed this read. As I say, this is a slow burner so if you're not interested in constant swooning and you prefer more tongue-in-cheek, gradual build romances, this is for you. The writing is well-paced and engaging and the story has enough action segments to keep even the most fair-weather reader interested. There were lots of kick-ass fight scenes and the description of the settings were excellent. I particularly enjoyed the atmosphere of the circus in the beginning, with all its magic and mystery. The elements of magic are some of the best parts of this book (oh who am kidding, I love all of it) and there's bound to be something to entertain almost every reader.</div>
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If you're debating on whether to start this book, or think romance isn't really your thing, I urge you - get your hands on a copy, for this is a captivating and entertaining read, and makes for a truly promising start to the <i>Kingmaker</i> series.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15187150227866532677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-75643994843065023952016-06-30T15:45:00.000+01:002016-06-30T15:45:29.385+01:00The Top 10 Animated Disney Villains <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While heroes may have more notoriety in a film, everyone knows the real unsung 'hero' is the villain. Without a striking villain, there is little point for the hero to embark on his journey/avenging mission, and you're left with a poor power balance between the two. It comes as little surprise that some of the most recognisable villains originate from Disney films, as their characterisation and persona is distinctive enough to set them aside from the rest; going down as 'classics' of the animated genre. You, yourself have probably tried to rank Disney villains in the past, so it comes as no surprise that this would be our next feature, considering we've covered the Top 10 Disney Villain songs, Disney Princesses, and indeed, Non-Disney Princesses. This post is strictly for animated Disney villains, for our post covering Live Action, watch this space.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">10: Doctor Facilier (The Princess & the Frog)</span></u></b><br />
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Well, this is one shadow man we don't want to mess with. This kooky, voodoo dabbling fellow will likely swindle you of all your possessions, and even use black magic to curse you - not exactly someone you'd want to hang out with. Dr. Facilier's talent for manipulation, and his opportunistic nature makes him a far more dangerous villain than some other opponents, as you're never quite sure what kind of scheme he is concocting. And well, y'know, he's got friends from "the other side" on his side. Let's just say Facilier is an all round smooth-talking baddie who utilises his charm to his own ends, and we wouldn't want to pay a visit to his particular establishment in any imagined future. <span style="text-align: left;"></span></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">9: Gaston (Beauty and the Beast)</span></b></u></div>
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Hilarious, ridiculous and overwhelmingly egotistical, Gaston is one of those villains who isn't necessarily depicted as such in his appearance. In fact, his muscular stature, affinity to women and his general demeanour screams 'hero' - that is, until he opens his mouth. If you're a book-reading, intelligent mademoiselle like Belle, then you'd better run for the hills because Gaston and his chest hair is coming for you. Whether it's his five dozen egg habit, his spitting or just overall vain and self-centredness that puts us off, Gaston is truly a villain of monumental stature. We certainly wouldn't want to be around him for too long, but he's so ridiculous that it's sort of entertaining to watch from afar - like 3 villages over, perched on a tree up a hill, far. </div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">8: The Evil Queen (Snow White)</span></b></u></div>
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The original Disney villain, the aptly titled "Evil Queen" certainly did have a particular proclivity for heart-carving. But hey, you've got to give her props for looking fabulous while doing so. Look at that cape swishing; girl's got it down. Sadly, the Queen was not content to just live out her life peacefully, so consumed by envy was she, that she pretty much orchestrated her own downfall - but has gone down in history as one of the most memorable animated villains, while also starting off a trend of 'evil mothers in films' that continues to this day. Poor kids. </div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">7: Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)</span></b></u><br />
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Raven? Check. Glowing staff? Check. Bad-ass horns and on-point eyeshadow? Double check. Maleficent is the type of villain who knows how to make an entrance. Combined with the fact that she can turn herself into a fire-breathing dragon at will, this makes her pretty difficult to beat in battle. And while we're not entirely convinced that Aurora's beau could have slain such a beast (one man vs. dragon? Talk about dead meat), Maleficent did put up a ferocious fight that earns her a place at number 7. And let's face it, if she's good enough for Angelina Jolie and Kristin Bauer van Straten, she's good enough for us. </div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">6: Jafar (Aladdin)</span></b></u><br />
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Jafar is the type of villain that really needs to get a life. As the Royal Vizier, it was pretty much his job to advise, and screw everyone over. With ambitions to become the Sultan himself, Jafar was a manipulative psychopath who seemed to have no qualms with killing off or enslaving anyone who disagreed with him, utilising his serpent staff. There's no much you can say about Jafar except that he's quite similar to Scar in some ways, although the latter is definitely more charismatic; both are savage, though. </div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">5: Ursula (The Little Mermaid)</span></b></u></div>
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As we arrive at the mid-point, we find darling Ursula lurking in her sea-cave, waiting to "help" the miserable, lonely and depressed. If you ever need more of a sign that a person is a villain, and you're apparently as naive as Ariel, just check to see if they've got two eel side-kicks, tentacles and, oh yeah, magical powers. Has this list taught you nothing? Pretty much every villain has magic (Magic comes with a price, dearie!) and none seem to be all too fond of using it for good. Go figure. Ursula was a fairly blunt and sassy villain, even going so far as to pretty much say Ariel shouldn't trust her in a catchy song-and-dance number. Needless to say, Pat Carroll pretty much nailed this role. </div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">4: Yzma (The Emperor's New Groove)</span></b></u></div>
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One of the more forgotten villains, but every bit as deliciously evil as the rest, Yzma is a rare gem of a character. Her sarcasm and wit remain one of the most loveable things about her, especially when you consider her sidekick is the bumbling (but adorable) buffoon, Kronk. Together, the two will rule the land with their spinach puffs! This buddy film featured some of the most hilarious heroes and villains, and Yzma, with all her decrepidness, was the star. Granted, she looks like a resurrected mummy, but this woman has all the observational skills of a keen eagle, and some inspiring, if elaborate plans. And, naturally, she also concocts potions in her spare time - and they're actually successful! Provided you select the right one, of course. </div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">3: Hades (Hercules)</span></u></b></div>
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So who can triumph over all these villains to secure the number 3 spot on our list? Why, the Ruler of the Underworld himself, of course! Hades, however, wouldn't be Hades without James Woods. This quick-talking, sleazy, satanic deity is a rather stark contrast to original greek mythology, but there's something about him that just elevates him above the rest. He's mean, he's ruthless, and extremely temperamental; he's quick-changing fire hair a sign of his disposition. There is however, nothing quite like seeing Hades freak out and destroy things when situations don't go his way, and in this sense, you can draw parallels between Hades and Kylo Ren, although the former is quite clearly more calculative and sinister. Regardless, he remains one of the Top 10 animated villains because of his excellent characterisation, notoriety and swaggy robe. </div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">2: Scar (The Lion King)</span></u></b></div>
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When it came to selecting the top 2, thoroughly difficult decisions were made. But just missing the top mark is Scar, the most ferocious lion you will ever see, whose trademark scar is but an outwards sign of his afflicted nature. Constantly feeling like Lion #2, Scar is every bit as ruthless and sardonic as you'd expect, and harbours deep resentment towards his brother and nephew. But he does make a good villain, so, apples and oranges. Once again, Jeremy Irons really makes this role.</div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">1: Judge Claude Frollo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)</span></u></b><br />
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Coming in at number 1, there aren't quite enough words in the dictionary to categorise how bad Judge Claude Frollo is. The fact that he's a 'judge' and responsible for dishing out justice is deliciously ironic considering he's never seen justice handed to him in his whole life - but this is what the crux of the character is. That, and his religion, which is utterly terrifying, in the way that he manipulates it to suit his own agenda - does that sound familiar? By far, Frollo was the most applicable villain to real life, which is perhaps what makes him so villainous. Hypocritical, spiteful, perverted and homicidal, Frollo really brings the heat to the villain archetype. And, can we just all take a moment to look at how truly scary those eyes are? He looks like he's possessed. Not to mention, before the film even really starts he's already killed 1 person and sentenced another to a life of misery and seclusion with himself, which is quite impressive, really, in a horrific way. Can someone say Hellfire? </div>
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Well, there you have it, our Top 10 Animated Disney Villains list! If you're sad your fav didn't make our list, then check below to see our 5 Honourable Mentions who just missed out on the coveted spots. Happy villain-ing!<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">5 Honourable Mentions: </span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Shan Yu (Mulan)</span></u></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Mr. Greyscale himself, Shan Yu sent terrified audiences with his steely gaze, whilst simultaneously making viewers jump out of their seats when he burst through the roof of the Emperor's temple in his pursuit of Mulan. </span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Captain Hook (Peter Pan)</span></u></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">This swash-buckling scallywag with a hook for a hand is the stuff out of nightmares, so thank goodness he seemed to be an absolute twit when it comes to devising plans. A more comical but still cruel villain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Mother Gothel (Tangled)</u></span></div>
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Continuing on the faux-mother figure is Mother Gothel, essentially and old hag posing as a mother who is quite adept to kidnapping. Manipulative to a girl who just wants a family, Mother Gothel is every bit as despicable as you'd imagine.<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians)</span></u></div>
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Oh Cruella, how we do love you. Sporting the two tone hair long before Melanie Martinez, Cruella knows style and she will have it - even if it means kidnapping 100(+1) dalmatians to get her fur coat of her dreams. While we love fashion, we think this may be a tad bit too extreme for the average person - maybe just buy faux instead, babe?<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Lady Tremaine (Cinderella)</span></u></div>
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The person who everyone knows of but nobody actually remembers her name, Lady Tremaine is once again the figure of Cinderella's anguish, who forever imprisons her inside and treats her like a slave (sounding familiar, Mother Gothel?), but eventually gets her comeuppance. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503938461741177440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-88685419492208847552016-06-28T22:02:00.002+01:002016-06-29T14:19:37.004+01:00Me Before You (2016) Review <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRQBpWkRbtHNXZSmRRbL4LX9twE5brzvjc4PzhhPAKlL8MO6cU4O-EH5_LQ-WKOjJVoFPL44eiJI5v2_jeELWuM5j2EgSHofwFDrjSdeigEV5O-0D5haSXsMrrg2UUP5RTOg_UcDL1Gg/s1600/me+before+you+1+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRQBpWkRbtHNXZSmRRbL4LX9twE5brzvjc4PzhhPAKlL8MO6cU4O-EH5_LQ-WKOjJVoFPL44eiJI5v2_jeELWuM5j2EgSHofwFDrjSdeigEV5O-0D5haSXsMrrg2UUP5RTOg_UcDL1Gg/s400/me+before+you+1+edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">"Live boldly. Push yourself. Don't settle."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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What’s a pair of actors to do when you’ve got time off from
being the Mother of Dragons and recently got devoured/blown to death in <i>The Hunger Games</i>? Why, star in a
romantic film opposite each other, of course! Because nothing says romance like
carnivorous mutts and homicidal dragons. Yes, Emilia Clarke rides shakily into
view in this dramatic film, upon the lap of a wheelchair-bound man (slightly
unconventional mode of transport), as she and Sam Claflin attempt to avoid any
cobbled paths that might turn this perfectly pleasant piece of cinema into an
utter disaster.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Me Before You</i>
centres around Louisa Clark (Emilia Clarke), a woman who lives with her family –
sister Katrina (Jenna Coleman), mother Josie (Samantha Spiro) and father
Bernard (Brendan Coyle). After being fired from her position at a café, she
gains employment as a companion for an affluent disabled man, Will Traynor (Sam
Claflin), and simultaneously attempts to revitalise his desire to live, through
a journey of bizarre extra-curricular activities, one of which includes
attending his former girlfriend’s wedding to her new beau. Watching over Will
is the rest of the Traynor family, his mum Camilla (Janet McTeer), and his dad
Steven (Charles Dance). Also starring is Matthew Lewis as Louisa’s athletic boyfriend,
Patrick. <o:p></o:p><br />
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One of the more impressing elements of the film is its
dynamic leading duo: Clarke and Claflin. The former flutters onto the screen,
bumblebee tights and all, as the colourfully dressed ‘Lou’, a chatty, smiley
ex-waitress who is severely unqualified for most jobs. But this beaming
butterfly of a character soars in the capable hands of Clarke, who has both the
notoriety and screen presence to attract attention, but also the charisma and
sheer contagious energy to keep you entertained. In many ways, Clark without an
e is perfect for Clarke with an e.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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After having starred in romantic novel adaptations like <i>Love, Rosie</i>, Claflin showcases his
expertise in the genre by delivering a confident and engaging performance as a
complex man who seems to have lost his passion for life. His chemistry with
Clarke is undeniable, as the two wheel around, goof off and take in the world
together, being rather adorable in the most charming of ways. What starts off
as a very simplistic and questionable plot filled with clichés somehow manages
to turn into a reasonably satisfying film in their hands, even if it isn’t quite
as heart-wrenching and unique as it tries to be. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Unfortunately, as anticipated, the film is disturbingly glossy
and somewhat idyllic, with its fair share of plot holes and cringe-inducing
moments of utter cliché, and while its impressive cast tries their best to make
up for the lack of real substance, they can’t quite melt away the sheen of
superficiality that clings to this picture. All the classic tropes are present;
the obnoxiously wealthy (but apparently tragically disabled) bachelor, the
woman who tries to change him, the loving parents, the boyfriend who isn’t
interested and the best friend (or in this case, sister) who is the shoulder to
cry on. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But again, the focus is on the actors and their sheer
determination to create something from very little – Jenna Coleman is effortlessly
endearing as Katrina Clark, whilst Bates (or Brendan Coyle) attempts to fulfil
his ‘follow-your-heart’ dad role, and even Matthew Lewis’ obsessive fanaticism with
running (which of course, comes with a plethora of running puns) is hilarious in
this context, when lined up with Clarke’s Lou who can barely run a few metres
in her leprechaun shoes.</div>
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However, all of this does not, and could never possibly, detract
away attention from the severe lack of depth the entire production has. It’s
like a pair of Lou’s shoes; they’re stylish and beautiful – but they can’t be
practical for anything too treacherous so best just stick to short, solid
ground and not extend the heel (or plot) into anything too abstract. Consequently,
<i>Me Before You</i> is a profoundly average
film, that aspires to be something more than it is, but never quite ‘gets it’ –
even when elevated by more than admirable performances.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503938461741177440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-36506178371282042052016-06-26T15:28:00.000+01:002016-06-26T15:29:55.669+01:00Iron Cast - Destiny Soria [Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqtccYUe41vLjoUdYx3z23XzsXPp6CvWoaZuZuDkBro950uME6NJUCt-RHBBr9b1VFQFtavd8MVPPjEGXIrJ6a_SCxTR5VO7_F6QXSqongvHbrdnJL2C5nigpplHxt79qpYjLLWX4D5Q/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqtccYUe41vLjoUdYx3z23XzsXPp6CvWoaZuZuDkBro950uME6NJUCt-RHBBr9b1VFQFtavd8MVPPjEGXIrJ6a_SCxTR5VO7_F6QXSqongvHbrdnJL2C5nigpplHxt79qpYjLLWX4D5Q/s400/cover.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Book: Iron Cast</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Author: Destiny Soria</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Published: 11th October 2016</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Publisher: Amulet Books</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pages: 384</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Source: eArc provided by the publisher via NetGalley</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rating: 4/5 stars</span><br />
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When I first heard about this book, I was very intrigued - individuals with a blood disorder that allowed them to create beautiful visions and illusions, or conjure up vivid memories or emotions - I mean, I was sold. I am so happy to report that this book really lived up to my expectations and I enjoyed it immensely.<br />
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The novel follows Corinne and Ada, two unlikely best friends, who are diversely different but share the same condition - they are both hemopaths. Hemopaths are those with a blood affliction that gives them the ability to do some truly bizarre things, as previously mentioned, like create illusions, make themselves appear as another person, or trigger memories or emotions. Corinne comes from a wealthy family with a great level of influence, however she does not care for her family's political views and hides her affliction from them, choosing to seek refuge at a hemopaths club in Boston, called The Cast Iron. Corinne is funny, sarcastic, brave, headstrong, and her plans tend to go a little awry. She protests she is not a nice person, but I'd disagree.<br />
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Ada does not come from privilege and is shunned by society for her race; she is forced to cover her hair with a scarf to avoid confrontation, and is often looked down upon and segregated. However, she never feels unequal to Corinne and she is most definitely not relegated to a secondary character, this is very much a story about the two girls, together. Despite her hardships, Ada is caring, resourceful, creative, supportive, and a truly great friend.<br />
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One of my favourite elements of this book was the friendship between Ada and Corinne. It was beautiful, and touching, and often it is so rare to find a strong relationship between female characters in literature that does not solely center around men, or result in rivalry. Corinne and Ada always had each other's backs and it was fun to watch their adventures together.<br />
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Other notable character mentions include Saint, who is another employee of the Cast Iron. His character development throughout the novel excels at a rapid rate and everything I thought about him at the beginning of the story was brought into question by the end. I loved that you couldn't necessarily guess where things were heading, and in the end, he became one of my favourite characters. Another special mention goes to James and Madeleine, who are actors at a nearby theatre; I loved their relationship dynamic (which is not one you might originally think of), and the parts of the book in which they featured were a real highlight.<br />
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There are elements of romance in this book, but they are definitely not central to the plot - they act more as an accompaniment, which is much preferred. The pace is good, with an intriguing opening and solid finish, with plenty of didn't-see-it-coming moments, which are sure to keep you turning the pages.<br />
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Another strength of this book is the setting - it's very immersive, and quite unique. Boston comes alive with the excellent writing, and the descriptions of the club, it's patrons, and the asylum in particular are very vivid. It's also set in the 1920's (one of my favourite eras in terms of aesthetics), and the atmosphere feels very in keeping with that time period, particularly with the behaviour of the characters, their motivations, and of course, their clothing (Corinne's wardrobe is especially impressive).<br />
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Overall, the setting, characters, and the unique premise of this book ties together nicely, and the author delivers a solid and enjoyable read that is suitably engaging and impressive. The illusions and emotions that the hemopaths are able to conjure and create are described with colourful detail and thought, which makes for a truly immersive read that I'm sure most would enjoy.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15187150227866532677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403283981578447341.post-31744099325436661442016-06-25T16:33:00.003+01:002016-07-01T20:40:33.894+01:00Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) Review<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeT4UxIR_98lGZkyFo2yxuB8m3mju7jtCzhQRQukI7CGQfvZ6ZfDqFmmnqmMjkmm-XlOeQtjfPEFhF6KYg_HBP6rBrf1Ju-9on3HlQK1bG5jd7efHSQaAnLnvp_F_xvewm5Kqq2es6qQ/s1600/independence+day+2+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeT4UxIR_98lGZkyFo2yxuB8m3mju7jtCzhQRQukI7CGQfvZ6ZfDqFmmnqmMjkmm-XlOeQtjfPEFhF6KYg_HBP6rBrf1Ju-9on3HlQK1bG5jd7efHSQaAnLnvp_F_xvewm5Kqq2es6qQ/s400/independence+day+2+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"They like to get the landmarks." </i></span></td></tr>
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Just in case one wasn’t enough, the creative minds behind invasion
epic, <i>Independence Day</i>, are back with
a new instalment: <i>Independence Day:
Resurgence</i>. Directed by Roland Emmerich and set 20 years after the original
events, the UN has created the Earth Space Defence (ESD), a type of early
warning system, with the base in Area 51, while forces are assembled on the
Moon, Mars and Rhea. Jake Morrison (Liam Hemsworth) is a pilot serving in the
ESD, whose fiancée is Patricia Whitmore (Maika Monroe), the former First
Daughter and skilled aviator. Serving alongside Morrison is Dylan Dubrow-Hiller
(Jessie Usher), the stepson of deceased war-hero Steven Hiller (Will Smith),
and other pilots, Charlie Ritter (Travis Tope) and Rain Lao (Angelababy), the
latter who is the niece of the Chinese Squadron Commander, Jiang Lao (Ng Chin
Han). Familiar faces, David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum), Thomas J. Whitmore (Bill
Pulman), and Dr. Brakish Okun (Brent Spiner) are back, as the
scientist/computer expert, former President and excitable formerly comatose
scientist, respectively. <o:p></o:p><br />
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In this war between alien invaders and earthlings, it’s
unclear as to what sort of tone the film is going for. The first half of the
film is overwhelmingly ‘doomsday’ and severe, but quickly migrates into the galaxy
of comedy, with some random ramblings from characters, pointless technical
jargon (seems to be a staple of this type of movie) and uneven segments of
humour that detract attention away from the clearly colossal devastation the
entire world is experiencing. One minute, you’re watching the entire London
Bridge come crashing down, killing millions of people, and the next you’re
watching Dr. Okun running around without any pants on, spouting intelligible
nonsense, doing his best Rick coma awakening impression from <i>The Walking Dead</i>. Even the characters
themselves seem to have no idea what direction the movie is going in, so these
disastrous images will often be spliced in between scenes of David and Julius
having a tiff or moment, or the latter making some school friends and proceeding to lead a bus full of minors into a war zone. Logic; no one’s got
any. Even the scene where the alien is chasing after the school bus is so bad,
it’s actually hilarious – and once you accept the bizarreness of everything,
you might find some enjoyment in this film as a sort of parody of itself. <o:p></o:p><br />
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However, there are certain elements of <i>Resurgence</i> that are unforgiveable: characterisation, for instance.
The film does its best to make you feel – in this case, <i>anything</i> – so, for what can only be presumed as dramatic effect,
goes to great lengths to kill off family members of main characters in the most
ludicrous and haphazard fashions. As if this wasn’t enough, it then proceeds to
have the affecting family members spend about 30 seconds looking sad at a
photograph and then moving on as if nothing has happened. Usher’s Dylan is a
victim of this, alongside Rain and Patricia, although all put in a valiant
effort to make their familial losses seem convincing, but they
are not given nearly enough material or written dialogue to work with.
Ultimately, they are forced to go into <i>Twilight</i>-mode,
communicating only in solemn stares, with the occasional solitary tear chucked
in for good measure. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Unsurprisingly, Goldblum’s David provides rare moments of joy
and actual intrigue, as Goldblum showcases his charismatic ability and
commanding screen presence, even when given very little to actually work with.
Meanwhile, Liam Hemsworth is actually a rare delightful addition, adding a bit
of spark and determination to a film that seems uncharacteristically lazy. Unfortunately,
all characters suffer from cheesy, superfluous dialogue that adds nothing to
the production other than taking away valuable minutes of your time, and is predictable and inundated with 4th of July puns.<br />
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Whilst there are few redeeming factors of the film, it is
not wholly ‘average’, and the visual effects and technological advancements are
used to the film’s advantage, with space scenes reminiscent of <i>Guardians of the Galaxy</i> or <i>The Force Awakens</i>; you can tell this is
where a large amount of the budget has been spent, and it pays off. As
monstrous spaceships collide with historical landmarks you can’t help but feel
in awe at the mass and craftsmanship of this spectacle, and this may be useful
to distract your attention away from the content of the film.<br />
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Ultimately, whilst <i>Resurgence</i>
isn’t a “bad” film, per se, it’s just unequivocally average, and that’s not
something any blockbuster should strive to be, especially when it has such acting
talent and financial capital available to it. This film could be considered to
be a combination of good movies and styles, if these ‘good films’ were sucked
into an alien gravitational field and then the broken, leftover pieces fell
back to earth, and were subsequently haphazardly super-glued back together. It’s
sort of the same product, though, just poorly made and lacking any of the original’s
charm. <o:p></o:p><br />
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