TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN

My review:
My bf took me to the movies lastnight. I got to pick the show and we watched Transformers. I liked the cinematography. Have to give that a 5 out of 5. Also the secondary roles such as the "military men" portrayed their characters very well and made it very realistic that movie goers can connect with. The leading roles? Have to give that a 1 out of 5. That came across to me as a bit, "could have been better". And how about the "suspension of disbelief"? I give that another 1 out of 5. There was a discussion on "Suspension of disbelief" over at the UnBound blog, and let me quote Bryn Greenwood on his comment:

"Look, I'm willing to believe that a neo-Nazi skinhead could fall in love with a black woman, but I don't believe that this skinhead is falling in love with this woman. Simple as that."

The makers of Transformers were simply not very convincing to the movie goers to suspend their disbelief for the story to be much good!

If our evening turned out to be a little disappointing, you'll have to blame it on me 'coz I picked the movie!

Overall rating
Rating: 2 out of 5 cherries.

ELVENBLOOD

Elvenblood by Mercedes Lackey

Genre: epic fantasy

Not very riveting but will entertain when there is nothing else around.

Rating: 3 out of 5 cherries.

Info about the book taken from the author's website:

Elvenblood is the second book in the Halfblood Chronicles series.

In the sequel to the best-selling fantasy, The Elvenbane, chaos sweeps through the magical realm after an upstart halfblood known as the Elvenbane challenges the cruel Elvenlords' rule.

Books in this series in chronological order:

Elvenbane Mercedes Lackey with Andre Norton
Elvenblood Mercedes Lackey with Andre Norton
Elvenborn Mercedes Lackey with Andre Norton
Elvenbred Mercedes Lackey with Andre Norton

Source: http://www.mercedeslackey.com/books/elven2.html on 20/07/2009.

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALFBLOOD PRINCE

Went to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince today and what a waste of my money! One of the kids in the front row actually said aloud if he could get his money back. That made me smile... I know exactly how he feels. He was probably 12 or 13.

The entire movie is just a middle story. A continuation from the last one and the beginning of the next one. There is no actual start and no actual ending. All the movie presented is the death of Dumbledore. And that's it! There is no actual story.

The only recommendation for this movie is that it is the middle of probably a good movie series so to appreciate the entire Harry Potter series you have to see this one. But wait for it when it gets to be a cheap DVD. Going to the movie is not worth it.

I have to say that they were very true to the book as far as I could tell. Though I could be mistaken because it's been a long time since I've read the book. They were too literal however. Like for example that scene where Draco's mother and aunt (Beatrix) went to see Professor Snape. Snape is suppose to have agreed with Draco's mother's requests out of his own free will for his own reasons. But in the movie it looked like he was forced!?! Unwilling but did anyway? Forced by some magic... and it looked like it was the magic of binding which coerced him. The magic of binding is that light that went round and round the joined hands of Snape and Darco's mother. As far as I can tell, in the book, Snape agreed to protect Draco for his own reasons... maybe to gain his own allies in the Dark Lord's camp who are beholden to him personally, or because he is truelly sympathetic to the plight of a young boy... whatever. Snape agreed out of his own free will. Which was not how it came across in the movie.

I liked the cinematography and the way Hermoine, Weasley and Beatrix played their parts. The acting ability displayed in protraying those roles fitted the characters to the "T".

Rating: 1 cherry out of 5

ONE SILENT NIGHT

Warning: Spoilers alert!!!

Rating: 3 out of 5 cherries.


My review:
This book was actually an enjoyable read. Once I got over the nonsense plot that kick-started the story. And hanging on with a death grip on to the romantic thought that this is Strykerious, the-bad-guy-gone-hero, we're talking about here. Then, yes it was an enjoyable read.

For goodness sake! Nobody can get into Kalosis without express invitation. That is why Stryker has to hold Zephyra's hand to take her to Kalosis.

Then, in the openning gambit, Medea and Zephyra flashed into Kalosis and suprised attacked Stryker!?! So how were they suppose to have done that? I think that needs to be explained properly to the readers. A reasonable explanation is needed so that the readers do not get irritated with plots that don't make sense!!

Genre: urban fantasy

Book Info: Info about this book was taken from the author's website:

While the world carries on unawares, Stryker, who leads an army of demons and vampires, is plotting an all out onslaught against his enemies--which, unfortunately for us, includes the entire human race. To avenge his sister, Stryker prepares to annihilate the Dark-Hunters. But things go awry when his oldest enemy returns. Enter his ex-wife. Zephyra. Just when he thought nothing could stop him, he's now embroiled in a centuries old war with a shrew who gives new meaning to pain and a shrew who is the only woman he's ever really loved.

This is a keystone book where new alliances form and old ones realign. The world of the Dark-Hunters is shifting and you definitely don't want to miss it. There are major shockers in it about Nick and Acheron and you will also meet Simi's future hero.

Longer than a novella, but not quite as long as a novel, OSN is a special thank you to fans. It's events will also lead directly into the next few books.

Source: http://www.dailyinquisitor.com/hunter//stryker2.htm on 13/07/2009.

PLACE TO AVOID IF VISITING SOUTH WALES

I was on my way home from Usk when I passed this advert on a round-about for Sunday lunch for £8.95. It was 12:45PM and today is Sunday, so I followed the sign.

I ended up in Bryn Meadows. I had my camera in the car so I took a pic of their facade. I went into the restaurant expecting the Sunday lunch. I stood at the entrance waiting to be seated for about 5 minutes or so before a male waiter came in and asked what I wanted. I said... "lunch?" And he said that the girl over there (pointing to the said girl) will seat me. Okeyyyy.... that said girl has been ignoring me and was yacking away with the barmaid since I came in. The male waiter waived to her and so she came over and asked if I have a reservation. I said no. Then she apologised that they only have roast for today and passed me over to the bar maid and said that the barmaid would serve me then left. I had the distinct impression that she did not want to serve me. The barmaid asked what drink I would like. At which point I decided not to have lunch there, hungry or not.

If you are visiting South Wales, I would suggest that you avoid Bryn Meadows. They have very good adverts but when you actually get there, the service is unbelievably sadly lacking. For an expensive place, you would think the service would be discrete, top notch and delivered with a smile. Not so in this place! Don't waste your money on Bryn Meadows. You will come out disappointed from the experience!!

DRAGONS OF AUTUMN TWILIGHT

My Review:

I got discouraged about halfway through the book because the dragons were painted as evil but I persisted and glad that I did in the end because the book turned out to be not too bad. But I would not read any more Margaret Weis.

Rating: 2 cherries out of 5

Verdict: Read only when you have absolutely nothing else to read and you are bored out of your skull!

Genre: epic fantasy

Excerpt:
Lifelong friends, they went their separate ways. Now they are together again, though each holds secrets from the others in his heart. They speak of a world shadowed with rumors of war. They speak of tales of strange monsters, creatures of myth, creatures of legend. They do not speak of their secrets. Not then. Not until a chance encounter with a beautiful, sorrowful woman, who bears a magical crystal staff, draws the companions deeper into the shadows, forever changing their lives and shaping the fate of the world. No one expects them to be heroes.

TURN COAT

Genre: urban fantasy

Verdict: predictable

Still fast-paced. Still a page turner. Still a pleasure to read. But... maybe I've read too many Jim Butcher books by now... this book is predictable. By about chapter three or so I already know who the bad guy is. Well, other than Shagnasty and company, that is. Now, that is a term for the bad guys that sounds nice to my ears... Shagnasty... Butcher do invent entertaining words like that. I guess it is one of those things that makes his story-telling so wonderful.

My favourite character in the Dresden series is Mouse. And here is a picture which closely resembles my idea of Mouse.

Rating: 4 cherries out of 5

Excerpt:

The Warden Morgan has been accused of treason against the Wizards of the White Council--and there's only one, final punishment for that crime. He's on the run, wants his name cleared, and needs someone with a knack for backing the underdog. Someone like Harry Dresden.

Now, Harry must uncover a traitor within the Council, keep a less-than-agreeable Morgan under wraps, and avoid coming under scrutiny himself. And a single mistake may cost someone his head--someone like Harry.

Excerpt was taken from the author's website at : http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/11/ on 04/07/2009.

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