Movie Review - Penelope

Director : Mark Palansky
Release Date : Febuary, 2008

Cast :
Christina Ricci as Penelope Wilhern
Catherine O'Hera as Jessica Wilhern
Richard E. Grant as Franklinn Wilhern
James McAvoy as Johnny / Max
Simon Woods as Edward Vanderman
Peter Dinklage as Lemon
Reese Witherspoon as Annie
Runtime : 104 mins
My Rating : 7 / 10

Plot : In this modern day romantic tale, Penelope is about a young girl's inspiring journey, a mysterious family secret and the power of love. With all odds against her, in order for Penelope to break the family curse, she must find true love with "one of her own kind" and realize the most important life lesson, "I like myself the way I am." Penelope Wilhern, born to wealthy societies, is affected by the Whilhern spell that can only be broken when she finds love. Hidden away in her family's estate, the lonely girl meets a string of suitors in her parent's futile attempt to break the curse. Each eligible bachelor is enamored with Penelope and her sizable dowry; until her curse is revealed. Lemon, a mischievous and eager tabloid reporter wants a photograph of the mysterious Penelope and hires Max to pose as a prospective suitor to get the shot. The handsome down-on-his luck gambler finds himself falling for Penelope... (written by Summit Entertainment)


My Thoughts : I haven't had time to watch movies lately.
But since I was on vacation, I had some time to spare.
I didn't expect anything of this movie, NOTHING.
That's why I really liked this movie I guess.

It teaches us that appearances are not always as it seems, that inside "is" more inportant than what you look on the outside. How can you not love this story? Besides, I'm a big James McAvoy's Fan ! I also love the filmography, it's very colourful, creamy, dark and beautiful. It's like "Alice in Wonderland" where you feel like you're being sucked into another world. In this case, Penelope's world, and I did like it.
The whole concept of falling in love with someone with our heart first is quite a dream and a fantasy for me. But I think we all want our other half to look at us for what we are and not by how we look. I very much liked this movie and will definitely watch it again !

Book Review - Beastly

Author : Alix Flinn 

Paperback : 336 pages

ISBN : 0061998664

(ISBN 13 : 9780061998669)

My Rating : ★★★★☆

Book Description : I am a beast. A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog, but a horrible new creature who walks upright - a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.


You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever - ruined- unless I can break the spell.
Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and a perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly beastly.




My Thoughts : This is the third book version of the "Beauty and the Beast" I've read this year. I just can't seem to get enough of it !
This book is a modern day version, and a very good one at that. 
It's witty, sarcastic and full of hard love.


And there were this "dialog", in between chapters that I thought it was quite interesting. A conversation with all the fairy-tale characters who transformed into something different. And they were having a session with a certain Mr. Anderson. haha
I thought it was quite funny. 


I also read this within 6 hours, it's a very easy read and if you like the "Beauty and the Beast", I really think you should give this book a try.


And they have made a movie out of it !
I've only noticed yesterday that it was already on theatre on July 2010, which is great. I think I'll check it out soon when it comes out in DVD.

Book Review - Water for Elephants

Author : Sara Gruen

Paperback : 335 pages

ISBN : 1565125606

(ISBN13 : 9781565125605)

My Rating : ★★★☆☆

Book Description : "Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-somthing-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tosses by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with it's own narrow, irrational rules, it's own way of life, and it's own way of death. The world of the circus; to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell." Jacob was there because his luck had run out - orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on this locomotive "ship of fools." It was the early part of the Great Depression, and everyone in this third-rate circus was lucky to have any job at all. Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, was there because she fell in love with the wrong man, a handsome circus boss with a wide mean streak. And Rosie the elephant was there because she was the great gray hope, the new act that was going to be the salvation of the circus; the only problem was, Rosie didn't have an act- in fact, she couldn't even follow instruction. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival. 


My Thoughts : It's more of a 3 1/2 star book.
Although I have heard and seen this book everywhere since the book ever came out,
I never really heard anything great about it.
But nonetheless I thought I check it out because they were going to make a movie out of it ! And I always try to read a book first before watching the movie if I can help it.

It is a good read. I didn't waste time or anything reading this book.
But still, it was plain and a little dull. I kept waiting for the excitement, suspense, and the dark secret to revile itself but it never came.
And I SILL don't feel like there was much of them in there.

There is one secret, something that's happened at the beginning of the book.
And, it was pretty obvious what it was by taking a quite look at the title of the book.
It was nicely written, clean and simple. No drama or complication, and that's why I felt like just reading a circus memoir. (which isn't half bad)

I laughed a couple of times and it was certainly interesting to see what a life in a circus might be, but I don't think this book has not lived up to it's own reputation.


*here is a preview of the movie coming out April 15th 2011*

Movie Review - Princess and the Frog

Director : Ron Clemens, John Musker
Release Date : Decembre, 2009

Cast (Voice, English Version) :
Anika Noni Rose as Tiana
Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen
Keith David as Dr. Facilier
Michael-Leon Wooley as Louis
Jim Cummings as Ray
Jennifer Cody as Charlotte LaBouff
Runtime : 97 mins
My Rating : 7/10

Plot : A modern day retelling of the classic story The Frog Prince. The Princess and the Frog finds the lives of arrogant, carefree prince Naveen and hardworking waitress Tiana crossing paths. Prince Naveen is transformed into a frog by a conniving voodoo magician and Tiana, following suit, upon kissing the amphibian royalty. With a help of a trumpet-playing aligator, a Cajun firefly and an old blind lady who lives in a boat in a tree. Naveen and Tiana must race back to brake the spell and fulfill their dreams. (by Massie Twins)


My Thoughts : Although I did not watch this in theatres, I was eagerly waiting for the DVD release. I've been so caugh on books lately that I neglected to watch some of the moview I already bought ! And sicne I am on vacation, I figured I'd watch something light and cute.

I never was a big fan of the classic fairy tale "The Frog Prince".
You see, I was a little afraid of amphibians as a child, and the thought of kissing a "frog", freaked me out a lot ! And a talking frog at that !
But I must say that I enjoyed this movie emmensely. I particularily loved their voices !
I love it when a retelling of a story is done right.

There's one thing that bothered me, and it was the vilian.
I mean, I felt a little weird (like a chill down my spine) watching some of the voodoo chantments, especially in the end.
It's extravagant colours, flashes masks and music made me a little uneasy.
Wouldn't children feel this too?  Won't they get nightmares?
But other then that, this adds up to one of my favorite disney movies, for sure. *^^*

Movie Review - Howl's Moving Castle

Director : Hayao Miyazaki
Release Date : Novembre, 2004 (Japan)


Cast (Voice, Japanese Version) :
Chieko Baisho as Sophie
Takuya Kimura as Hauru
Tatsuya Kashuin as Karushifa
Ryunosuke Kamiki as Marukuru
Runtime : 119 mins
My Rating : 10/10


Plot : A young woman named Sophie is cursed by the Witch of the West, turns her into an old woman, and is unable to tell anyone of her plight. Unable to continue her job at her mother's hat shop, she goes to the ambulatory castle of the notorious wizard Howl and insinuates herself into his household. Sophie befriends Calcifer, the fire demon who powers the castle and who is bound to Howl by a contract, the terms of which Calcifer cannot reveal. They promise to help each other with their problems. Like Calcifer, Howl can also see through the Witch's spell. Sophie helps Howl confront his former teacher, and the Witch of the West.


My Thoughts : I am in LOVE with this movie.
It's my comfort movie I watch whenever I'm sick or too depressed.
I curl myself in bed with some hot noodle soup and turn this movie on.
It makes me want to believe and hope. It's just wonderful.

I love ALL Hayao Miyazaki movies, they all teach you something therefore some of them can be a little too intense but this one isn't.
His details in movies are just astonishing, like background furniture,
colours of clothes and the character's movement.

One other thing that's great about this movie is, it's soundtrack.
You have never heard of something so beautiful and so fitting to the world of fantasy.
(you can listen to some of it from the video below)

I think this movie will be a great first movie of Hayao Miyazaki to watch.
And I'll continue to introduce you to the great and wonderful world of Japanese Anime.

I recently found out that this was based on a book. 

A book that I'm going to read very soon !

Movie Review - Last Airbender

Director : M. Night Shayamalan
Release Date : July, 2010 (USA)
Cast :
Noah Ringer as Aang
Dev Patel as Prince Zuko
Nicola Peltz as Katara
Jackson Rathbone as Sokka
Aasif Mandvi as Commander Zhao
Runtime : 103 mins
My Rating : 5/10


Plot : The world is divided into four kingdoms, each represented by the element they harness, and peace has lasted throughout the realms of Water, Air, Earth, and Fire under the supervision of the Avatar, a link to the spirit world and the only being capable of mastering the use of all four elements. When Aang disappears, the Fire Nation launches an attack to eradicate all members of the Air Nomads to prevent interference in their future plans for world domination. 100 years pass and current Fire Lord Ozai continues to conquer and imprison anyone with elemental "bending" abilities in the Earth adn Water Kingdoms, while siblings Katara and Sokka from Southern Water Tribe find a mysterious boy trapped beneath the ice outside their village. Upon rescuing him, he reveals himself to be Aang, Avatar and last of the Air Nomads. Swearing to protect the Avatar, Katara and Sokka journey with him to the Northern Water Kingdom in his quest to master "Water bending" and eventually fulfill his destiny of once again restoring peace to the world. But as they inch nearer to their goal, the group must evade Prince Zuko, the exiled son of Lord Ozai, Commander Zhao, the fire Nation's military leader, and the tyrannical onslaught of the evil Fire Lord himself. (written by The Massie Twins)



My Thoughts : I had high hopes for this movie, unfortunately I was hugely let down.
I don't' know, maybe it's because it was based on an animation rather than a book? This story was so light and unstructural, even the special effects were not that impressive. Actors were okay but I guess it's hard to want much from such young people. I did like the main character's "dancing". That was pretty awesome. 

I've heard that the animation version of this is actually very good, well considering how it has plenty of episodes it must be easier to be more specific and structural.
I'm glad I didn't watch this moviein 3D, although it isn't much I would've regreted it. But really, I don't know if I'm gonna watch the next movie when it comes out. Or is there going to be one since it has received such disappointing reviews?

Christian The Lion - the full story in HQ with Sigur Ros soundtrack

My favorite animal story so far, and will be for a long time.
I couldn't help but be moved by this.
I've only found this book accidentally in a library and finished it within hours.
It will bring you tears. Also, check out the book.

Movie Review - Princess Bride

Director : Rob Reiner
Release Date : Septembre, 1987 (USA)
Cast :
Cary Elwes as Westley
Robin Wright as Buttercup/Princess Bride
Mandy Patinkin as Inigo
Wallace Shawn as Vizzini
Andre the Giant as Fezzik
Runtime : 98 mins
My Rating : 8/10


Plot : When a young boy falls ill, his grandfather pops round to visit him. To cheer his grandson up, Grandpa has brought a story book; The Princess Bride, a tale of the love between the beautiful Buttercup and the besotted Westley, a love cruelly interrupted by Westley's tragic apparent death at sea when seeking his fortune. Heartbroken, Buttercup has sworn never to love again, but accepts the marriage proposal of the rich and handsome Prince Humperdick, heir to the throne of Florin; but death is no barrier to true love, and in a story filled with exotically-accented swordsmen, big-hearted giants, genius kidnappers, sadistic torturers, vile swamps, Rodents of Unusual Size, the Dread Pirate Roberts and somewhat embittered miracle worker, the love between Westley and Buttercup twists and turns on a path filled with adventure. Will true Love of Westley and Buttercup win the day? Will Inigo Montaya find six-fingered man who murdered his father? Will Humperdinck's evil plans come to fruition? And, more importantly, will Grandpa be able to tell the story without any of the yucky kissing? (written by Scott Nisbet)



My Thoughts : After reading the book, I finally watched the movie I already bought months ago. From the back cover I knew it was going to be a 'somewhat' old movie.
I wasn't wrong. It was late at night, and half way through the movie I laughed so hard that I could've woken up the neighbors!

It is based on the abridged version of the book that William Goldman wrote.
Which I am greatful for, it could've been a very long and boring movie.
But instead I found it was humourous and witty. It wouldn't have been as such if it were remade into a blockbuster movie.

It's been a while since I've watched a movie from the 80s and it was a delight.
The short and funny dialogs, old-version of special effects and especially the acting !
I really enjoyed this movie, something that's worth watching again close by a fireplace with a hot cup of chocolate. =)
I might dig into my old movie pile now and see what I've missed.

Movie Review - Inception

Director : Christopher Nolan
Release Date : July, 2010 (USA)
Cast :
Leonardo Dicaprio as Cobb
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Arthur
Ellen Page as Ariadne
Cillian Murphy as Robert Fisher
Marion Cotillard as Mal
Runtime : 148 mins
My Ratings : 10/10


Plot : Dom Cobb is skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at it's most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible-inception. Instead the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse : their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team from the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming. (from Warner Bros. Pictures)



My Thoughts : Most anticipated movie this summer!
I usually don't enjoy Leonardo Dicaprio's films.. they have been going down hill for me since Titanic. But this was very different.

I love Chistopher Nolan's films.
They might be hollywood blockbuster-ish films but they do have an edge in the end of the movie that makes you think, like 'The Prestige', and 'The Dark Night' was just brilliant.

The story was not all that difficult to follow as people say it was but just when I thought so, at the end I couldn't help but wonder...
Was he still dreaming? 1)why was he the only one young when he found Saito. 2)everyone looked at him on the airplane when he woke up 3)the totem never did stop spinning. 4)children never seem to have aged
But again, I would like it to be a happy ending... so even though I have all the doubts I just figured that where ever he was, he is happy now.

I have liked watching Joseph Levitt since '500 days of summer' and Ellen Page since 'Juno'. I thought they were terrific. Even Marion Cotillard was great and gorgeous. I'm glad this movie did not disappoint me at all !

It was all but serious movie with twists and a few small laughs in between.
I might go see it again. =D

Movie Review - Sorcerer's Apprentice

Director : Jon Turteltaub
Release Date : July, 2010 (USA)
Cast :
Nicolas Cage as Balthazar Blake
Jay Baruchel as Dave Stutler
Alfred Molina as Maxim Horvath
Monica Bellucci as Veronica
Runtime : 109 mins
My Rating : 7/10


Plot : Balthazar Blake is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath. Balthazar can't do this alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler, a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potetial, as his reluctant protege. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It'll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes The Sorcerer's Apprentice. (from Walt Disney Pictures)



My Thoughts : This was one of my most anticipated movie of summer 2010 along with "Incepsion", "Eclipse", "Despicable Me" and "The Last Airbender".

I cannot help but compare this with the movie "Percy Jackson : the lightning thief". I can't put my finger on why but it feels similar to me.
Nicholas Cage could not have picked a better movie !
I loved his preformance in this, than any other action movie he's recently done ! He looked deep and believable in those semi-long curly hair, just like Johnny Depp as a pirate.

And Jay Baruchel was okay. His studder made me wonder if he ever did that in real life. His character was a little annoying for me, he just wasn't standing out. In a movie title like this, which character is more dominant? Sorcere? or his Apprentice? I guess it's both but in this movie the sorcerer has definately out staged the apprentice.

Special effects were great, could have been awesome with 3D.
All in all, I'd love to watch it again.