The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug movie review

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug IMDB & Rotten Tomatoes 75%

I have been a fan of the series ever since I read them long ago for a school project. So of course, I have been keeping up with the series not only for the Lord of the Rings releases, but the Hobbit series as well. I am super happy that Peter Jackson is the director for the movie because I loved the look of the Lord of the Rings, so it is nice to see the same atmosphere for the Hobbit. 

 

Actors: Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Martin Freeman as Bilbo, Richard Armitage as Thorin, Ken Scott as Balin, Graham McTavish as Dwalin, William Kircher as Bifur, James Nesbitt as Bofur, Stephen Hunter as Bombur, Dean O’Gorman as Fili, Aidan Turner as Kili, John Callen as Oin, Peter Hambleton as Gloin, Jed Brophy as Nori, Mark Hadlow as Dori, and Adam Brown as Ori

Directors: Peter Jackson

Writers: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, & Guillermo del Toro for the screen play and J.R.R. Tolkien for the novel “The Hobbit)

Genre: Adventure & Fantasy

Movie Release Date: December 13, 2013

DVD Release Date: estimated March 2014

This movie very obviously picks up after the last movie with Bilbo and company as they begin to travel to the Mirkwood Forest. There is a small feeling of a missing section between the two movie; mostly because the last one left with them on a tall cliff (so I guess it doesn't pick up exactly where we left the lot in the last movie). 

The acting in the movie is just as good as the last movie. I love Ian McKellen as Gandalf. He has really made the character his own. Martin Freeman also does an amazing job. He embodies the hobbit feel with the mannerisms and well spoken nature. Someone that I was surprised by was Aidan Turner as Kili. It was hard not to sympathize with the character and practically fall in love with him because Aidan just comes across so gentle and funny.

So on to the moments in the movie that I think are worth mentioning. First is the fighting scene on the river. There has always been an element of badass mixed with humor in all the fight sequences from both series. This movie comes through with that in the river fight sequence. I completely enjoyed it (and I look forward to seeing pieces I missed when I get it on DVD). The second part deals with Smaug, but is like a two parts in one deal. The first is that it seems the entire CGI budget was used on Smaug. This meant that there were other CGI parts that kind of fell short of their mark for me. So obviously Smaug was amazing looking, but he felt short for me. And for the life of me, I'm struggling to explain why. It's almost like his scenes felt flat and slow.

Overall, I really wish they had set about making the series a two part series instead of three. This movie was just longer than it needed to be (and it didn't help that the first one felt rather well paced). It was just slow and had a lot of shots that felt like they didn't need to be there. I hold out hope that the third one just kills it and knocks it out the park, because both of the series are a part of my childhood and I want to see them done justly.

So of course, there is a book that inspired this movie. You can find it here:

Barnes and Noble: The Hobbit & Barnes and Noble: The Hobbit: Illustrated Edition

Amazon: The Hobbit: Illustrated Edition & Amazon: The Hobbit

Hope you have a magical day!

These images and more can be found HERE

Life of Pi book review

Life of Pi

by Yann Martel on September 2001

This book has had a lot of hype over the years, and also a movie released based on it, so I figured it was about time that I got around to reading it. The story is a survivor, adventure, drama, and fantasy (but not like Dungeons and Dragons fantasy...). It is also a higher level of reading kind of book, so I would suggest it to those who are at least in their teen years if not a little older. 

The storyline follows Piscine Molitor "Pi" Patel. It is broken into three main sections. The first part is Part One - Toronto and Pondicherry which just gives background information on Pi, and randomly talks about sloths for quite some time; both the three-toed and two-toed variety if you are curious. The second section is Part Two - The Pacific Ocean which isn't until page 95. This is where the story truly begins and you finally get to see Pi on the boat and then on the lifeboat. The last section is Part Three - Benito Juarez Infirmary, Tomatlan, Mexico which tells the ending to Pi's adventure across the Pacific Ocean.

The story was a rather dry read to me, especially in the beginning. It didn't help that there is a jumpiness to the way it reads. Certain parts of the book feel out of place or unnecessary, but they do hint at Pi's life after the ocean. There were also sections that were simply described and played off of known imagery, like when he describes the ocean below and compares it to a busy city. Then there are other sections that are too descriptive and hard to follow, like when he explains the boat's water filtration devices (I still have no clue what they look like). I was pleased with how all action scenes were describe, because I was never left confused by them; not only that, I had a sense of what was going on and how the character felt about the situation.

My favorite parts of the story was the battle (or more arguement) between the three religious leaders, because it felt so realistic. There is also a moment where Pi goes a bit delirious, and I loved every moment of it because it was so gripping. It was the only time that I felt I couldn't stop reading. 

My least favorite part is the amount of unanswered questions. I like everything to be wrapped up at the end of books regardless if it ends happy or sad. There is no answer given to what happened to make the ship sink or how animals got loose on it. There is also not a specific answer to how Pi moved on from his experience. Hints are dropped every now and again, but nothing specific. The smell of cumin reminds him of the ocean after the wreck, but that's about all I have that's concrete. Another weird event is when two investigators come to talk to Pi about the ship wreck. It left me wondering what was or wasn't true about the story I had read. There is just a grey area for me as to which parts of the journey were real and which parts weren't.

I started the book on November 23rd and finished it on December 26th. It's definitely a book that is easy to set down and come back to; many of the chapters are short so it's great for those who don't have a lot of time to devote to reading everyday. This isn't a book that I loved, but I can respect it for its style of writing (basically, it's not my cup or tea!). It is a book that does make you think about philosophical stuff though. Overall, I would have been alright with never having read the book. I have yet to have watched the movie but will do so soon to compare the two.

Where you can find this book (and movie IMDB):

Barnes and Noble for Book 

Barnes and Noble for Blueray/DVD combo pack 

Amazon for Book 

Amazon for Blueray/DVD combo pack

Red 2 (2013) review

Red 2 (2013) IMDB & Rotten Tomatoes 42%

I actually rather liked Red (2010) so I was fairly excited for the sequel! The previews did look quite awesome so I was super hopeful for a great sequel. I never got a chance to see it in theaters, and I just now got the chance to watch the DVD that we’ve had forever.

Actors: Bruce Willis as Frank, John Malkovich as Marvin, Mary-Louise Parker as Sarah, Helen Mirren as Victoria, Anthony Hopkins as Bailey, Byung-hun Lee as Han Cho Bai, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Katja, Neal McDonough as Jack Horton, Brian Cox as Ivan, and David Thewlis as the Frog

Directors: Dean Parisot

Writers: Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber, Warren Ellis, and Cully Hammer

Genre: Action, Comedy, and Crime

Movie Release Date: July 19, 2013

DVD Release Date: November 26, 2013

This movie picks up a bit after the first movie. The whole premise is that Frank and his team have to rejoin to stop a nuclear device from falling into the wrong hands. The trailers didn’t really show the storyline to the movie as much as I would have liked. I didn’t even know there was a nuclear device search when I started the movie.

The acting in the movie was on par with the first one. As always, I loved Bruce Willis and I really do think that he does a great job portraying the character. Frank is really a simple person, but playing a simple role can be very easy to overdue. Also worth mentioning is that I love Helen Mirren, she is amazing! I truly see her as Victoria and not an actor. Side note: I think Mary-Louise Parker is growing on me, and the facial expressions she does are spot on! Sarah is such an awkward character at times, and those facial expressions truly help with that. I did also have a freak out moment when David Thewlis was there, because dude! he was in Harry Potter!!! Oh and Shadow Storm was there too! Byung-hun Lee was Han Cho Bai! (He did all these awesome action sequences with a suit on; that has to be really hard.)

Overall, I liked the movie because it is the best of both worlds. I feel like girls are going to like it and boys are going to like it. There is fighting, shooting, and explosions plus there is like a revenge battle of making out with Frank and Sarah. They start acting like kids in school which is hilarious. I also enjoy that everyone is giving Frank advice on love and his relationship. They truly kept the awesome parts of the first movie and brought them into the second one. One thing that I am happy about is that they didn’t overdue the special effects which is something I feel like movies do often (like Expendables (it’s just too much!!)). The only parts I disliked about the movie were the weird red cut scenes and there was a jar of tarantulas (gross >.<). My favorite character will probably always be Victoria because I mean come on, is an explanation really needed? My favorite part is not that specific, but it is that I can never figure out anyone’s plans because it is always so random and confusing. So let me know your favorite character and your favorite and least favorite moments of the movie.

Hope you have a joyous day!

These images and more can be found here.

Shiver (Wolves of Mercy Falls #1) by Maggie Stiefvater review

Shiver (Wolves of Mercy Falls #1)

Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver is a fantasy, werewolf, teen fiction, and love story which was released June 1, 2010. It is the first of a trilogy called Wolves of Mercy Falls. The storyline follows Grace who has a fascination with the wolves that live within the forest behind her house. The same wolves that attacked her as a child. Little does she know that they are so much more. It isn't until she meets a boy named Sam that the secrets begin to be revealed and their love unfolds.

The characters in this series are rather refreshing, because they are all so dynamic and unique, even Grace and Sam contrast greatly against each other. A surprising character for me in this series is Isabel. When she is first introduced, I didn't think much of her and thought she would be a throw away character but she wasn't. Each character is really thought out and has more to them then what is first shown.

This isn't an overly complicated book or difficult to follow. The level of description is spot on! I never felt confused or lost, but I also never had to deal with getting lost in all of the details. Also, the plot wasn't completely predictable. Normally, I have an annoying knack of sensing what is going to happen next, but not with this story. So often I found myself saying "Holy crap, did that just happen?" because I was completely surprised by so many events.

Another feature of this book that I quite enjoyed was that it wasn't solely focused on the blossoming love. For example, the Twilight series felt solely focused on Bella and Edward's relationship. This book did feature the main characters' love story, but there is so much more to read about along the way. I also liked that you get to read from both their point of views. It gives the story so much more depth and allows for you to read about more places at once, because the two aren't always together all the time.

So overall, I suggest this book to people who do enjoy teen fiction and werewolf stories. I haven't read a werewolf story like this, because it isn't quite the typical werewolf abilities. This book is probably like an 8.5 out of 10 for me. It has great character diversity, and a surprising plot. I wasn't completely sucked into the book though, and I can't quite put my finger on why.

If you'd like to read this book or series, you can buy it or them here: 

Shiver from Amazon

Shiver Trilogy from Amazon

Shiver from Barnes and Noble

Shiver Trilogy from Barnes and Noble

Hope you have a tranquil day!

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues review

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues 

 IMDB & Rotten Tomatoes 82%

I truly wasn't expecting all that much from this movie in the sense that I thought it would be just as good as the first. I had heard that most of the cast wanted to make this film happen, and I had faith that these people wouldn't want to come together again to make a crappy movie. The trailers don't really give the best sense of the storyline though.

Actors: Kristen Wiig as Chani, Jim Carrey, Paul Rudd as Brian Fantana, Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy, Liam Neeson, Steve Carell as Brick Tamland, Kristen Dunst, Harrison Ford as Mack Harken, Christina Applegate as Veronica Corningstone, Vince Vaughn as Wes Mantooth, James Marsden as Jack Lime, Meagan Good as Linda Jackson, Sacha Baron Cohen, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler

Directors: Adam McKay

Writers: Will Ferrell & Adam McKay

Genre: Comedy

Movie Release Date: December 18, 2013

DVD Release Date: estimated April 2014

The storyline picks up after the first one with Ron and Veronica. It then continues with Ron getting his team together to head of the New York City for the state's first 24-hour news program. The trailers for the movie don't really show in great detail the diversity to the storyline which was surprisingly a little deeper than I thought that it would be. The movie does start rather slow, and there are a few other slow moments to the movie as well. It does poke a lot of fun at the news industry and how it has developed over the years.

The acting to the movie is just as hilarious as the first one. I love Brick Tamland and Chani (who is a new addition in the Anchorman world)! They are completely hilarious, so I have to commend Kristen Wiig and Steve Carell on their amazing work together. It is also worth noting that the guest appearances in this movie feel never ending. There was Will Smith and even weirder Kayne West. I couldn't help but think "what is going on here"!

Overall, I would suggest seeing this movie if and only if you enjoyed the first Anchorman. It follows the same randomness of the first movie, and the beginning did take some time to get back into the flow of things. The longer the movie went, the more that I was laughing. There are some sharks scenes that I was not a fan of (mostly because Sharks terrify me greatly!). I can say they made up for that with (what is by far my favorite scene) a battle royale! If you do want to see this movie, go with friends because it'll be so much better (but I would have been okay with waiting for it to come out on DVD and getting friends together to watch it then). If you saw the movie, let me know your favorite part or least favorite part.

If by chance, you want more Ron Burgundy there is a book! You can find it at either Barnes and Noble or Amazon. It is called Let Me Off at the Top!: My Classy Life & Other Musings.

Hope you have a poetic day!

These images are more can be found: here!