Book Review: The Pact by Jodi Picoult

           I've read many of Jodi Picoult's books such as My Sister's Keeper, Handle With Care and Between the Lines. Now, I can add The Pact to my collection of books. For those of you not familiar with the book, the story goes like this: The Hartes, James and Gus, and the Golds, Michael and Melanie, have lived next door to each other for eighteen years and they've grown to all be the best of friends. So when their kids, Christopher Harte and Emily Gold, developed a romance, both families were ecstatic. But when Emily commits suicide and Chris being the only one present during her death, both families crumble. Chris explains that he and Emily had made a suicide pact, however, Agent Marrone and Barrie Delaney see it differently - they see it as a murder case. With Chris accussed of murder, the Golds, specifically Melanie, question the suicide pact, which Chris has said as the reason for Emily's death. This leads to the dissolution of the Hartes and Golds' friendship and the real truth to Emily's death.

        There were some pros and cons to this novel so let me state the pros of the novel first:

1. The whole story was very realistic and relatable.
              First of all, it is possible to truly love someone enough that you'd do absolutely anything to end their something - even if that meant killing them (which is exactly what Chris did). Second, if you were a parent, you'd understand why Melanie acted the way she did. It was really understandable and justified. Last, friendships don't always last (as seen with the Golds and the Hartes). These points show that the story can definitely happen in real life.

2. The story moved gradually.
               The one thing I hate about some stories is that they move too quickly, there isn't enough 'space' to let the story sink. This, however, was not present in this novel. It showed the development of the characters and their relationships with ease, so you had a better understanding of the changes and progression of the story. This, in turn, made it quite enjoyable to read.

3. The story is quite gripping.
              Just imagine yourself as any one of these characters - not knowing what really happened and just drawing conclusions from the evidence presented. As a reader, it really makes you eager to finish the story in just a day!

          Now that I've mentioned the pros, here are some of the cons:

1. There were too much R-rated scenes, especially with James and Gus.
          Now, for this, I would understand why the author put quite a number of scenes for Chris and Emily, however, I didn't understand why Gus and James had a lot of sex scenes. Melanie and Michael didn't even have any so why write a lot of sex scenes for Gus and James. Was it to show how they're relationship was more physical? or was it a ploy to understand better either of the characters? That I just didn't really understand in the novel.

2. Emily got kind of annoying as the story progressed.
          To tell you the truth, I kind of liked Emily at the start but as the story got deeper and deeper, she kind of got annoying. The reason for this is because she didn't open up to anybody, not even Chris, regarding the sexual assault she experienced as a child. Because of this, she just kept everyone guessing and drawing random conclusions as to why she wanted to die. This annoyed me throughout the book because it made me think that Emily didn't really have any solid relationships in the novel. Even if her relationship with Chris may seem like true love, it really isn't and you'll understand while you read the last few pages of the novel.

Over-all, it was a good read and I'd rate it with an 8.7/10!

Just like my other blogs, I wanted to make a cast list for this book in the hopes that they do decide to reboot/remake this film (since the recent trend of movies now is that to reboot old movies).

1. Michael Gold - Timothy Olyphant

   I picked Timothy Olyphant for the character of Michael because he somewhat fits the look I've imagined for Michael. In the book, Michael is described to have graying hair and if they ever decided to reboot this film, Timothy Olyphant could just use this do (as seen in the picture). Second, Michael was said to look very kind and gentle as he was a veterinarian. Now, I know Timothy Olyphant isn't necessarily what you'd picture for a gentle person (considering his roles in the movies: "The Hitman" and "Live Free or Die Hard"), but I think he could fit that category, if given the right hair and make-up. Also, if he ever got the chance to portray this character, it will show a lot of his acting abilities. Lastly, he can definitely play the role of a father figure and this can be seen in the movie "I Am Number Four," wherein he plays the character of Henri. So all-in-all, I think Timothy Olyphant would play a good Michael.

2. Melanie Gold - Sarah Paulson

                  I've grown to love Sarah Paulson over the course of watching "American Horror Story: Asylum." She gave such a riveting performance as the troubled Lana Winters. What made me choose her was the small connection of her character Lana and Melanie. Melanie, in the book, was so intense and very emotionally-driven since the death of her daughter. This was almost similar as to how Sarah Paulson portrayed as Lana in American Horror Story: Asylum. Although they are different stories entirely (Lana was stuck in an Asylum while pregnant to an infamous killer, while Melanie lost a child), they both experienced a physical, emotional and mental trauma. Sarah Paulson executed this beautifully as Lana so she'll most likely be able to execute the same level of performance as Melanie, if there would ever be a reboot.

3. Gus Harte - Madeleine Stowe

                     Madeleine Stowe portrays the role of a worried mother perfectly in the television show "Revenge" (she plays Victoria Grayson). As Victoria, she's experienced her son go to jail and be falsely accused of murder (as seen from the first season of the show). It's almost the same with Gus, who had her son also go to jail for a crime, he possibly might not have committed. If Madeleine Stowe can portray this character in Revenge, who says she can't do it again as Gus Harte?

4. James Harte - Kevin Kilner

                             I first recognized Kevin Kilner as Larry Sawyer in "One Tree Hill." Later, I saw him as Chad Michael Murray's strict father in "A Cinderella Story," and I found out he also played a doctor in America Ferrera's "Ugly Betty." In two of those films I mentioned, he played a father, so it's not a big stretch for him to play Christopher Harte's father - the somewhat strict but caring, James Harte. Moreover, he wears a lab coat and portrays a doctor in the series, Ugly Betty, so you could already picture him as James Harte (James' occupation was an opthalmologist). Furthermore, he's done quite a number of movies/series already, I think doing this film (if it were ever going to be done) can be his breakout role.

5. Christopher Harte - Steven R. Mcqueen

                                                       I first saw Steven R. Mcqueen in the Disney film "Minute Men," however, I continue to see him as Jeremy Gilbert in the television series, "The Vampire Diaries." Though it was only through his portrayal of Jeremy that I really considered him for a 'Christopher.' In the first season of Vampire Diaries, Jeremy is teenage boy just trying to get over the death of his parents and move on. In those few episodes, Steven R. Mcqueen portrayed a depressed, brooding young man struggling to make sense of his life. This is similar to Chris, who is just trying to find his way in life, despite the horrible things he has experienced. So, in a way, Steven R. Mcqueen partly already portrayed Chris, just in a different character and storyline. This would only mean that he can be a good Christopher Harte, if this were ever rebooted. Not to mention, in the novel, Chris has slightly long hair so Steven R. Mcqueen kind of fits the profile as seen in the picture to the left of this paragraph.

6. Emily Gold - Taissa Farmiga

                                                     Just like Sarah Paulson, I first saw Taissa Farmiga in "American Horror Story." The reason I picked her is because in the novel, Emily looked just like the typical, fun-loving girl but she kept secrets inside that ate her up. Taissa Farmiga has that soft, girly look but she can also show a somewhat dark side to her; and this can be seen in her portrayal of Violet Harmon in American Horror Story. Also, from what I heard, she kind of acts as the 'girly-girl' in the movie, "The Bling Ring." So having her play Emily can show these two different acting sides to her.

7. Detective Sergeant Marrone/Barrie Delaney - Angie Harmon

                                                    Angie Harmon has played countless roles as some kind of law enforcer. In the movie, "Agent Cody Banks," she plays Agent Ronica Miles, while in "Women's Murder Club" and "Rizzoli and Isles," she plays a detective. I think just by looking at the roles, which I've mentioned, you can tell she fits the character of Detective Marrone. I'll even bet she can do one hell of a good job portraying either Barrie Delaney or Agent Marrone. Also, she fits the profile of both of the characters in the novel - determined and persistent.



8. Kate Harte - Bailee Madison



                                   In the novel, not much is really mentioned about Kate Harte, other than she is the daughter of Gus and James and that she is the sister of Christopher. However, in the course of the novel, you notice that Kate is just a really young, somewhat childish 12 year old girl. For this character, I imagined Bailee Madison. I just think that her look, in general, can be used to describe Kate - innocent and young. Also, she has done a lot of films already that deal with family drama like "Brothers" and "Don't be Afraid of the Dark," which shows that she can act very well in an emotional setting.  It also helps that she can pass off as Steven R. Mcqueen's sister, just look at the hair color and the slight similarity in the shape of the nose!

9. Jordan Mcafee - Adrian Pasdar

                         

                 In the television series, "Heroes," Adrian Pasdar plays Nathan Petrelli, a man intent on running the office. Throughout the series, his character is very serious and gives little time to his family (though, he really does care for them). This can be quite similar to Jordan in the novel. Jordan has a son, who he rarely spends time with because of his work. Not only that, Jordan seems to present a hard exterior, which is somewhat similar to how Adrian Pasdar portrays Nathan Petrelli in Heroes. I really believe that Adrian can indeed bring this character to life and make us relate with the character, if this were to ever be rebooted.

10. Selena Damascus - Paula Patton

Paula Patton, in my opinion, fits the character of Selena Damascus. According to the book, Selena was dark skinned, beautiful and very tall. Although Paula Patton isn't really a "6-footer," she is very beautiful and she acts quite well, just look at her performance in the movie "Precious". Other than that, Selena's character is very determined yet still gentle and I think she could present these different sides to Selena very well just based on her previous roles. 

Just to give you a preview of what I imagined the movie poster would be, here is my photoshopped image of what I hope it would look like:

Hope you all like this entry!



Book Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

                       Just today, I was able to finish the book, If I Stay by Gayle Forman and for those of you, who don't know the story, here's a short summary of it:

                        Mia had the perfect life -a great boyfriend, cool and supportive parents, a loyal best friend, a very loving brother and a possible career in music. However, that all changes when Mia gets into a car accident that leaves her parents and brother dead. Mia, though, was given the choice to either go back to her life before (without her family) or proceed to the afterlife. During the period Mia contemplates on her decision, she sees everything happening to her and around her (Mia is out of her physical body as a spirit or soul, roaming around the hospital) - all the operations, her friend and relatives coming in and out, and the professions of love from all of them (especially Adam's). In the end, Mia makes her decision, which is to stay and continue living.

                     Over-all, I found this book quite moving, mainly because all the things Mia talked about were realistic - like how were you able to go on without a family or the pain of saying goodbye to those you plan to leave behind. It makes you really think that if you had that choice, would you also choose to stay or would you choose to go?

                   Also, I liked how you see the relationships Mia had with those around her, through her flashbacks. In a way, this made you understand better why she had a difficult time deciding whether to stay or to leave. Moreover, I liked how it was Adam's love for her that let her decide to stay. It really shows to me, as a reader, the immense power of love and how it can surpass the toughest battles.

                     Although I gave it such praise in the second paragraph, there were some things in the novel that I had some issues with. The first was that Mia didn't seem to experience much grief when she saw her parents' bodies splayed across the road. Considering her relationship with them, I expected her to break down immediately. Maybe it was because she was still in shock, but I really questioned that in the novel. My second issue was that there were some parts in the novel that, for me, might have dragged the story quite a bit. Despite those issues though, I still consider it a good book and would give it a rating of 8/10.

                      Just like my other blogs, I'd like to create a cast list, if ever this book is turned to a movie. So here are my picks:

1. Mia - Melissa Benoist/ Lucy Hale

                                In the book, Mia was said to not look like any of her parents because she had dark hair and eyes. Both actresses above have dark hair. With regards to the eyes, Lucy  is perfect because she has dark colored eyes (which is perfect for the character). Melissa, on the other hand, does not have dark colored eyes (her eyes are blue), but I think her musical ability makes up for it (which is good because in the novel Mia is musically talented). In addition to that, Lucy also has musical ability, as seen in her performance in "A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song." Finally, both actresses, in my opinion, can act quite well and this will be good because the character somewhat experiences a "roller coaster" ride of emotions.

2. Adam - Diego Boneta

                                  Diego Boneta, in my opinion, is perfect for Adam because: 1) he can sing - just watch him in "Rock of Ages" (it's needed because Adam was the lead singer for his band, Shooting Star), 2) he can pull off that "good guy - rocker" character, which can also be seen in "Rock of Ages" (Adam's into that kind of music but he never fails to show that he cares for Mia nor does he diss her for other girls), 3) he can really act. For all of those reasons, I chose Diego Boneta as Adam.

3. Mom - Malin Akerman

                                  While reading the book, I couldn't imagine a better person playing Mia's mother except for Malin Akerman. In the story, Mia's mom was kind of a "rocker" when she was younger. Just look at Malin Akerman in "Rock of Ages, " she pulls off the "rocker-chic" look so well! This look could be used during Mia's flashbacks of her mom when she was younger. Not only that, Malin can also look like a mom, just look at the pic above (right side), she looks very professional and mature. That look (the one on the right) can be the current look of Mia's mom - when she stopped going to all the concerts and focused on her job and family. Lastly, Malin Akerman can act very well, just look at her film credentials and you'll have to believe me!

4.   Dad - Brad Pitt

                              Not only is Brad Pitt an A-list actor but he is a very good one at that! I really believe he can give a great portrayal of Mia's dad in the movie adaptation of the book (if they ever created one). More that, he possess the physical traits described in the book - blonde and blue-eyed. Also, he can pull off that "rocker" look, just look at the pic on the left (this is good because Mia's dad was also into the music scene when he was younger). It would be good during Mia's flashbacks of her father. Lastly, he pulls off the 'bow-tie' look (right picture) which Mia says was her father's trademark.

5. Teddy  - Jackson Brundage

                                      I've loved Jackson Brundage from the moment he started on "One Tree Hill." I think he would play a good Teddy in the movie adaptation (if there ever will be), because: 1) he has the physical traits of Teddy (blonde and blue-eyed), and 2) he can play a cute and innocent character, just look at his portrayal of his character, James Lucas Scott, from "One Tree Hill."

6. Kim - Ashley Rickards

                                     In the novel, Kim has this sort of snarky/sarcastic/moody/tough tone to her and I think Ashley Rickards can play this character effortlessly because it is slightly similar to her characters in "Awkward" and "One Tree Hill."

                         To end this entry, I want to show you just the movie poster I designed, in case it does get to be a film: ( Melissa Benoist was used as Mia in the poster)

Movie Review: Man of Steel

                              

              

                                         Just an hour ago, I finished watching the movie, Man of Steel. To be honest with all of you, I really had high expectations for this movie considering the stellar cast, the well-known director, and the very intriguing trailers. With that said, I believe the movie exceeded absolutely all of my expectations and delivered such an amazing film. One of the things that I really loved  in the film was how the whole movie was not only full of action, but was also incredibly emotional. This was emphasized in many of the scenes - like the scene where Superman holds General Zod by the neck as he attempts to kill a human family. In that scene alone, you could see the dilemma of Superman as he contemplates having to kill someone of his own kind or having to watch an innocent family die. That moment brought so many emotions in him that when he made his decision, he ended up breaking down  (a very human thing to do). More than that, however, the scene that struck me the most (and almost brought tears to my eyes) was the scene of the hurricane, wherein Clark Kent saw his father die. Clark Kent, of all people, could have saved his father but at his father's command, he didn't. The fact that he could've sends Clark through a whirlwind of emotions involving pain, regret and even a small sense of hope. However, the fact that his father was willing to risk death just to avoid exposing his son showed Clark the true importance of keeping his identity secret.

                                Second, the movie had almost no loose ends. You know how in some movies, you end up leaving the theater and asking why was it like that? or how could that have been like that? Well, in this film, you hardly even ask any of those questions. Moreover, they even clarified and brought depth to some things - like why Superman wears an "S" (this doesn't only stand for Superman) and why his weakness is Kryptonite. 

                              Lastly, I have to applaud the cast, crew, and the graphics. The set and graphics were spot on and very realistic. The cast was also a great success. I really liked how they put some of the biggest names as Clark's fathers - Russel Crowe and Kevin Costner. For me, though, the biggest surprise of the movie was really Henry Cavill. It's hard enough to have to stand out in a movie with personalities like Diane Lane, Amy Adams, Kevin Costner, Russel Crowe, and Lawrence Fishburn but Henry Cavill was able to do it.  He really showed so many dynamic emotions that you'd be crazy not to be drawn in. Furthermore,  he showcased all of Superman's complexities beautifully, which made for a very realistic performance. Because of his portrayal of this character, I'm certain that we will see him more in the big screen with a possible chance of an Oscar in the future.     

                          Over-all, it was really an incredible and very story-driven film and I really urge you not delay watching it. As for ratings, I'd give it a full 10 Stars!

Book Review: The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks

                To tell you the truth, I've come across this book so many times during my trips to our local bookstores and I haven't ever really considered reading this book. Well, that was until my friend said that it was "the most underappreciated and overlooked book of Nicholas Sparks." From that statement alone, I definitely considered reading the book for myself.

               For those of you that haven't read the book yet, the story is about Wilson Lewis and his efforts to win back the love and affection of his wife, Jane, who is also the eldest daughter of The Notebook's Noah and Allie. Through the years they've been married, Wilson has noticed how he and Jane have somehow led their lives into a pattern, in which Jane has seemed to fall out of love with her husband. With the guidance of Noah Calhoun, Wilson attempts to make his wife fall in love with him all over again, and he attempts to get this done by their wedding anniversary. However, things go astray when Wilson and Jane's eldest daughter, Anna, plans to marry on the day of their wedding anniversary. With Jane helping with Anna's wedding, Wilson tries his best to do still do his plans to win back his wife while keeping up with the wedding arrangement. This book will ultimately end with a wedding you would not expect.

                One of the best parts of this book, in my opinion, would have to be the scenes of Wilson and Noah. I really enjoyed how Nicholas Sparks created their relationship with Noah not only as Wilson's guide to winning back his wife but also as a concerned friend to his son-in-law. It made it more enjoyable for me to keep reading the book. Moreover, I liked how it was in this book that you can see that Noah and Allie's relationship was not totally perfect. There was a part in the novel, about the roses in Noah's house that told so much of their hardships as parents and as a couple. This made it feel more realistic and relatable as no relationship is perfect; but they can always be improved and worked on.

             Another thing I liked about this book was that it made you anticipate something totally different from what was going to happen next. Now, I don't want to spoil it for all of you because I do encourage you to read it but it does kind of surprise you in the end. More than that, though, I really loved the romance that comes with this book. I really enjoyed Wilson's efforts in getting back his wife and the build up towards his grand gesture. There was even a part in which I cried because it was so sweet. You just really have to read it to know what I'm talking about so again I urge you again to read.

            Although there were definitely positives to this book, there was one thing that I didn't like about the story and it was the pacing. Unlike some of Spark's stories, which tackles the discovery of a new love ( like The Rescue, and A Walk to Remember, The Last Song), this one was all about rekindling a somewhat lost relationship, so, in my opinion, it shouldn't have taken Wilson that long to really express his feelings to his wife. With that said, that is the only negative I can truly say about the novel.

           So over-all, it was still a pretty good book and I really do encourage you to read it.

           Just like my other posts, I just had to create a cast list in the hopes that this will turn into a movie.
So here are my suggestions:

1. Noah Calhoun - James Garner

           I don't think any other actor can really replace James Garner for his role as an older and wiser version of Noah Calhoun, so it is just appropriate that he be playing Noah again in a movie adaptation of The Wedding.








2. Wilson Lewis - Aaron Eckhart

              Through his films, Aaron Eckhart continually proves to the world that he is indeed a diverse actor. He went from a fun loving chef in No Reservations to a crazy psychopath in The Dark Knight (Harvey "Two Face") and recently a compassionate president in Olympus Has Fallen. Just by these drastic character changes alone, you could indeed tell he is a serious actor.
            
             Though he is slightly younger than what Nicholas Sparks originally had written for the character to be, I believe he will successfully be able to play Wilson Lewis in the big screen. Not to mention, he has also had experience in the romantic genre as he starred in Love Happens (alongside the beautiful Jennifer Aniston) and No Reservations with the very talented Catherin Zeta Jones. So why shouldn't he play Wilson Lewis in a movie adaptation of The Wedding?




3. Jane Calhoun - Amanda Peet

                    In the novel, Wilson describes his wife to have a somewhat "childlike ease to her emotions." If you watched Amanda Peet's movie "A Lot Like Love," she does exhibit a somewhat childlike ease when she talks. Now, I know that she does that mainly for her character in that movie but it seemed to somehow fit how I imagined Jane to be (while reading the book). Like Aaron Eckhart, she is also younger than what Nicholas Sparks intended for the book but I think she would fit the part perfectly.







4. Anna Lewis - Rooney Mara/Jessica Lowndes/Michelle Tratchtenberg

                       Between these three actresses, I cannot decide which one I'd like to be Anna. In the novel, Anna was described to be sort of gothic yet still kind of look like her mother. These three actresses seem to pull off that gothic style of dressing and they also have a slight resemblance to Amanda Peet. So any of these 3 actresses, in my opinion, can play Anna in the big screen.



5. Joseph Lewis - Adam Gregory
 

                         Not much is described with this character other than he is taller and thinner than Wilson. I was just thinking that Adam Gregory would be a good Joseph because 1) he is very good looking and 2) I think he can pull it off the slightly snooty character (because in the book, Joseph kind of gives Wilson the "cold shoulder" after what Wilson has done to Jane) as this can be seen in some of the characters he played like his character Ty in 90210 and Dom in 17 Again.



6. Leslie Lewis - Erica Dasher



                   In the novel, Leslie was described to be the most endearing of the three. She was described to have a bubbly personality (won homecoming queen in her high school) and was the only child, who seemed to show affection towards her father. I think Erica Dasher can portray that sort of endearing quality to Leslie as well as her bubbly personality. I'm basing this on Erica Dasher's portrayal of Jane Quimby in Jane By Design. I really think she nailed her character there and so, she can most likely also do a great job as Leslie. Moreover, Leslie is still in college (according to the book) and Erica Dasher has such a youthful face that she even portrays a 16-year old girl in Jane By Design, so this role would be perfect for her.

               So that is my take on the book and my suggestions for a movie adaptation of the novel.

The Host (movie review)

                             Just yesterday, I was able to watch The Host on its premiere day. To be honest, I have been waiting on this movie ever since I finished the book and here is what I have to say about it:

                         The movie was fine but it was a bit less than what I expected it to be. First, I imagined the caves to be a bit more damp and dark. In the book, Wanderer/Wanda had difficulty in seeing where she was going 'cause the place was so dark. Second, I didn't really like how the relationship of Wanda and Ian escalated quickly. In the book, Ian's feelings for Wanda were gradual. He didn't feel for her immediately like how the movie portrayed it to be. Third, I didn't like how they took out the story of Walter. In my opinion, it was Walter's death that really made Wanda truly feel for the humans and understand what it is like to be one of them. It was that part that I was really disappointed not to see in the film.

                       However, there were some positive points to the film. First, I liked how they stayed true to the story of the book and didn't really change much. Second, I loved the actors and actresses in this film. Though I was particularly impressed with William Hurt, Soairse Ronan and Max Irons. William Hurt made me very much enjoy the film as he was able to full personify Uncle Jeb craziness/ingenuity.Soairse Ronan was able to portray two characters very well and I was very impressed with her. Lastly, Max Irons was able to show very strongly the pain felt by Jared when he saw Melanie (Wanda) again and how he came to terms with it. Second, I really like the sci-fi effects and props of the film. It even beat the ones I've imagined while reading the book. Third, I liked how they were able to portray the love triangle/square of the characters. It was very entertaining to watch that unfold throughout the film.

                       Over-all, it was a good film - not great but not bad eiher. If I were to rate it, I'd probably give it a 6.5/10 because the movie was promising but just missed a few things.

  

Old Movie review - Mrs. Winterbourne

    

            A few days ago, I was able to catch this movie entitled "Mrs. Winterbourne." It featured personalities such as Ricki Lake, Brendan Fraser and Shirley MacLaine. At first, I was skeptical about the film, I wasn't sure if I would like it but to my surprise, it was quite enjoyable.

           For those of you who haven't heard of this film yet, the story goes like this: Connie (Lake) has been unlucky in love. At eighteen years old, she moved in with a man who she thought loved her. After a while, she got pregnant with his child and he decided to abandon her. On a train ride to Boston, she meets Hugh Winterbourne (Fraser), who treats her with kindness by helping her escape the attendant asking for her ticket (she didn't buy a ticket for the train ride). Hugh then brings her to his room on the train where Connie meets Hugh's pregnant wife, Patricia. As Hugh leaves, Patricia and Connie bond. When Patricia's ring falls from her fingers, Connie helps her find it. As Connie finds the ring, she can't help but marvel at its beauty. Patricia notices this and tells her to put it on. Connie does this and the unthinkable happens - the train crashes. Connie wakes up at a hospital bed, surrounded by gifts. Fortunately, her baby survived and was delivered safely. Later though she realizes that they think she is Patricia Winterbourne (because she was still wearing the ring of the real Patricia Winterbourne) and the Hugh and the real Patricia Winterbourne are dead. Still confused and a little shocked, she tries to escape the hospital but then is stopped by Paco, the Winterbourne's butler. Paco says that he Winterbourne family expects her to be with them especially after the death of Hugh. With nowhere to go, she decides to use this opportunity to support her and her newborn baby. However, she didn't expect to fall for Hugh's brother, Bill (Fraser), and to develop a close relationship with Hugh and Bill's mother (MacLaine).

          What made me enjoy the movie was the unique and quirky plot of the story. I especially liked how the movie started Connie with her dead beat boyfriend. In the first few scenes, they showed their relationship and how she got pregnant in the first place. I also liked how the film gradually went to the scene wherein Connie, Hugh and Patricia get into a train accident. Lastly, I kind of enjoyed the light humor put into this film, it made watching this film so easygoing and carefree.

           Although this movie was enjoyable, there were some things that I didn't like about it. First, I didn't like how Bill and Connie fell in love. At first, Bill was apprehensive of Connie then after just a few scenes, he was suddenly head-over-heels in love with her, so much so, that he wanted to marry her immediately. For me, the relationship did not have any real basis and was too fast-paced for my liking. Second, I think the movie lacked more emotion. Although Shirley MacLaine and Brendan Fraser did very well acting, I did not like how their character was portrayed in the film. It had only been a few days since Hugh died and yet, Hugh's mother and Bill seemed to have gotten over it so quickly. There was no scene where, Shirley MacLaine's character was seen crying, and this should have been evident considering that MacLaine's character just lost her son. Finally, I found the conversation of Connie with her mother-in-law to be somewhat lacking. The mother-in-law's reaction seemed to be subdued and too unrealistic. Now I am not blaming any of the actors though I do say that the writers should have put more depth into the characters and story itself.

         Despite this though, I would give the movie a rating of 6/10 because even though, it had inconsistencies, it was still a fun film to watch. I'd recommend watching in DVD this with a bunch of your girl friends to have a great laugh and have a fun time!

Jack the Giant Slayer (movie review)

             

                    To start, I just want to say that I somewhat enjoy having the classic fairytales remade into an edgier, darker, more realistic way. So, I was excited to be able to watch this movie, particularly because the director of X-men First Class was directing it. Based on the trailer alone, it showed much potential because it had action, romance, great graphics and not to mention incredible actors such as Stanley Tucci and Ewan McGregor. The movie, itself, was very entertaining and over-all, it was a good film. I, particularly, like the start of the film, wherein we see both the characters of Jack and Isabel with their parents reading them the same story. This set a good tone for the film and also, allowed the development of their romance to be more substantial. Lastly, I found that the unexpected twist at the end quite interesting as it related to the present. So again, in my opinion, it was a really good film, one that you will truly enjoy watching with friends and family.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer (book review)

              To be honest, I've been a fan of Stephenie Meyer's work for a long time already. I loved the Twilight series so I really couldn't wait to start reading The Host. You would think that I recently just bought the book but, in truth, I've had a copy of it for quite a while. I just didn't have the time to start reading it. However with the soon release of the movie, I couldn't help myself from finding out what the story was really about so I started reading it.

               The Host surprised me a lot and made me even like it more than I liked the Twilight series. The reason for it was because I found the story quite unique and very compelling. It might have been because I haven't really read much books on Aliens (except maybe for Daniel X by James Patterson), though I would think even one who has read a lot of Alien-based story books would find this book very interesting. Anyways, just a brief background (in case you weren't familiar with the story), Wanderer is an alien inhabiting the body of this human girl, Melanie. Usually when an alien inhabits a human body, they keep the memories and past emotions of the human body, however, the human soul that used to live in that body dies. In Wanderer's case, Melanie didn't die and she is very much present inside the body. This poses a lot of problems for Wanderer, especially when it comes to controlling the body's emotions and longing for the boy named Jared. This longing for Jared, leads both characters - Wanderer and Melanie - to journey through the desert in the hope of finding Jared. Now, I will stop here because I would like you to read the book so you'd understand why I liked it a lot.

             So, just to enumerate, these are the reasons why I loved the book:

1. The realistic feel of the characters. I really liked how these characters are very different but at the same time, very diverse. Take for instance, the character of Jared. When Jared meets Wanderer, in Melanie's body, (spoiler), he presents a mix of emotions. He is happy to see the face again of the girl he loves, however, he is both sad and angry that she is inhibited by this alien. This makes it hard for Jared to physically hurt Wanderer because what he sees is Melanie or her body, to say the least. This is a very human emotion to long for a loved one that might not even be there, but it makes it all the more realistic. You could just imagine that pain Jared feels in seeing Melanie (Wanderer) again.

2.  The theme of love. Throughout the book, Meyer presents different kinds of love such as a Mother's love, love for one's kind and the romantic kind of love. These different themes of love can be seen in how the characters of the story interact with one another. Melanie protecting Jamie at all costs shows a familial bond that can be associated with the love of a mother for her child. The way the human community protects one another from any alien intruder (as seen in their reaction to Wanderer's presence). The way Ian cares for Wanderer shows the romantic kind of love; the love that can surpass all things. All these kinds of love were presented throughout the book, which made it so much more understandable and different.

3.The gradual element of the story. I have read some books, where the characters instantly jump into a relationship after one day. In this story, all the relationships developed gradually like Wanderer's love for Ian and Jared's acceptance of Wanderer. This, again, made it all the more believable because all relationships require time to develop and it cannot be solidified in just a day.

4. The unique premise of the story. I found it really intriguing that Melanie remained alive in the story, despite being possessed by an alien. Also, by the fact that through Melanie's memories, Wanderer also kinds of falls in love with Jared. It poses the question if Wanderer really loves Jared or is it just the memories of him that make it so? This question will be answered once you have read the book. This is also the reason why I like it more than Twilight (also because the story of a vampire in love with a human has been used before).

5. The message that you can't really judge anyone based on what you see. Throughout the story, the humans come to terms with this message as they see Wanderer's true self. It also reminds us, not only as readers but also as human beings that we shouldn't judge others based on what we see. There is more to a person than just the physical and this book seemed to have exemplified this point.

          These are the reasons why I loved this book and I really urge you all to go out, get yourself a copy. Lastly, I hope the movie will be just as great! Here's the poster in case you didn't see it yet.

The Fault in our Stars by John Green (book review)

        The Fault in Our Stars might be one of the most popular books nowadays and I really understand why. It tackles such a realistic situation in our society today - which is dealing with sickness, particularly cancer. This book showed such raw, believable emotions that any one of us can identify ourselves with characters such as Hazel, Gus, and maybe even the infamous Van Houten. More than that, Green was able to show the truth of life - that it almost never happens the way we want it to. This, in my opinion, made it very relatable to many readers, and also made it very interesting to read (because it did not have the "happily ever after" we expect in almost all the books we read). For those of you, who haven't read the book, I'll give you a short background on it: Hazel thought that maybe her life couldn't get any better. She was constantly on medication and though she wasn't exactly terminal, she felt like her life wasn't going in the pace it should've been. Her life changes, though, the day she meets the fun and easy going Augustus Waters. Things, however, don't go the way it was planned and a lot of unexpected things happen. Although it is through all this that Hazel realizes that life almost always doesn't go the way you want it to but it doesn't mean that you should stop living it.

        Over-all, I really did like the book and again, I really encourage you all to read it. Moreover, I'd like to add that if this book were ever considered to be a movie, I would like the following actor and actress to play the characters: Emma Watson to play Hazel and Matthew Atkinson to play Augustus.

        I picked Emma Watson for the following reasons:
1. She is probably one of the only actresses that manages to still look gorgeous in a pixie haircut (this is good for Hazel because she had short, slightly-boyish looking hair in the book but still managed to looked pretty as she was able to make the very good looking Augustus Waters fall for her)
2.   She is a good actress. I think she will be able to capture the different sides of Hazel as her character develops throughout the novel.
3. Although she is already in her twenties, Emma can pass for a sixteen year old (Hazel's age). Just give her the right hair, make-up and clothes and we're good to go.

     I picked Matthew Atkinson for the following reasons:
1. He is very good-looking (just watch him in Jane By Design). In the book Hazel describes Augustus as the "hot boy" in her cancer support group.
2. He is muscular. In the book, Hazel describes Augustus as "long and leanly muscular." If you'd look at Matthew Atkinson's pictures, you may agree with me that he seems to fit the profile of Augustus.
3. He has this easygoing smile that can come off quite genuine and if there's one thing you could describe Augustus Waters with, it is genuine.
4. He acts fairly well. I'm judging this, however, on his acting in the television show Jane bt Design. I think he deserves his big break on the big screen (if this book were ever turned into a movie)

So, just to give you a glimpse of what I imagined the poster would be, here is a photoshopped version of it, using the pictures of the actor and actress I mentioned above:

Again, this was a work done by me, Millie. It is not professional work so please don't be so critical on it.



The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks (book review)

                      Just a few weeks ago, I finished the book - The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks and I can definitely say that this is, by far, my favorite book of his. As usual, it had some of Sparks' trademark elements such as love and loss, but this book, in particular, had a little more dash of suspense to it. Just so you know what I am talking about, here is a brief overview of the book: 

Julie Barenson has just lost the love of her life, Jim. But in his death, came life (because Julie had gotten puppy as a gift from her husband, Jim). Along with this final gift of his was a letter, in which Jim has promised Julie that he will always be there for her. Four years later, Julie decides to find love again. Julie goes on a couple of dates but never seems to find the man that could make her as happy as she once was. This leads her to a series of dates with a man, who for many may seem like the perfect guy - Richard. She inevitably, though, ends up falling for her husband's best friend, Mike. Not to give any more away, but this newfound romance brings her to a path of danger and jealousy but also, the hope of a happier future. 

                   I really urge you to buy the book and not solely rely on my short synopsis of the book. However, just to get you started, I would like to say why I loved this book so much. 

                  First, in this book, I enjoyed very much how the author shifts the point-of-views in the chapters. For instance, a few paragraphs of the chapter might first be focused on Julie then after a while, it shifts to Mike. This allowed me as a reader to imagine the scenes as if it were being played in a movie. Also, it allowed me a better understanding of what the characters thought of during that particular situation.

                  Second, I enjoyed the realistic feel the story had. It did deal with an issue (spoiler: this issue is common among famous personalities) that is very relevant to our world today. To be honest, this issue did not necessarily scare me at first, but upon reading the book, I realized the gravity of the situation and sympathize deeply for people currently experiencing this.

               Third, I like the development of the characters. It was all gradual yet it seemed to have more of an impact, that way because it allowed me to understand better their way of thinking. I, particularly, liked how Richard's character developed throughout the whole story.

               Fourth, I love how the theme of Hope was exhibited through this novel. From Jim's death up to the end of the novel, it exhibited this theme subtly yet with great impact.

                Lastly, I loved how this book had a dash of thrill and suspense in it. The author made me feel as if I was the character in trouble. To be able to make me feel something while reading a book is a mark of a genuine and great author. 

                 Those are all the reasons as to why I loved this book. Because of my love for the story, I was trying to imagine what it would be like if it were turned into a movie and who will play what characters. With the help of photoshop, I made "fake" movie poster for it.

                               From the characters, I decided that if the book were turned into a movie, I would really love Chelsea Hobbs (from Make It or Break It) to play Julie Barenson and Josh Dallas (from Once Upon a Time) to play Mike.

                           I chose Chelsea Hobbs because of the following reasons: 1) she is about the same age as Julie in the book, 2) she seems to possess the same kind of beauty I've imagined for Julie, and 3) she acts well. Moreover, I chose Josh Dallas because of the following reasons: 1) he also is near the age of the character in the book, 2) he has the "good guy" look (which is perfect for Mike), 3) he possesses similar qualities to Mike in the book, and 4) he also acts well. Finally, I think these two would make a cute couple in the big screen (if ever, the Guardian was going to be made into a film).

                        The picture below is a separate movie poster, which I made for Richard. The reason why I chose Matthew Goode to play the character because: 1) he is also of similar age to Richard from the book, 2) he has this sort of mysterious look in his eyes (which would be perfect for the character of Richard), 3) he also possesses the same characteristics as Richard (dark hair, good-looking, etc.), and he acts very well. So why can't he play a good Richard? 

                     Hopefully, this book will be turned into a movie. I, also, hope that future movie producers/directors may see this blog and consider my casting choices. Still, if none of those things happen, I still really urge you to read this book because it is one you will surely find hard to forget.

*pictures were edited by me, Millie, only for the purpose of showing my love for this book and my eagerness for it to become a movie, so please don't make fun of it too much  and I'm still kind of fresh in photoshop and I also, don't have any formal training in it so please don't be super critical about my work)

               

Les Miserables, the movie, review

         

          "I dreamed a dream" was probably the one of the only lines you'd remember from the Les Miserables trailer...Well, that's the only line I really remembered from the trailer but that one line made me really curious as to what the film is about. To state the obvious, I was not quite familiar with the story of Les Miserables, so I was really interested and excited upon watching the movie. To my surprise, it was even better than I expected it to be.

         To start off, I really admired and awed at the raw emotions brought by all the actors and actresses in the film. I, most especially, liked Hugh Jackman's portrayal of the infamous Jean Valjean. Jackman gave such great passion and vulnerability to his character, so much so, that I cried many times during the movie. He was greatly able to portray all the struggles and the dilemmas of his character quite effortlessly. Not to mention, that his singing voice was also quite stunning. To be honest, he (Jackman) was the reason why I enjoyed the movie so much and was able to relate to it personally. He truly shined in that film. 

        Moreover, the songs were both very beautiful and meaningful though from all the songs, I really enjoyed the song "Do you hear the people sing?." That song, in my opinion, set the tone for the whole story. Plus, it didn't hurt that the song was really catchy and easy to sing. 

        Over-all, I very much enjoyed the film and would not mind watching it again. I really urge you to go out and watch this film. Hopefully, you'll be able to love and appreciate it as much as I have!    

Spark's Safe Haven (book review)

       If I am being perfectly honest with all of you, I only read the book in preparation for the movie. The trailer, which featured Julianne Hough, Josh Duhamel and Cobie Smulders, intrigued me, so much so, that I was interested in learning more of the story. I wanted to know what was Julianne Hough running away from in the trailer? Was it because she did something bad or something else entirely? and how big of an influence would Cobie Smulders' character have in the whole movie that she'd really have to be featured in the trailer? All these questions made me want to learn more and more about the story. It was only a few days ago that I decided to read the book.

           A traditional Nicholas Sparks book would always include these elements: love, loss, a bit of heartache and hope. It was those elements that make Nicholas Sparks such a phenomenon as a writer because he was able to relate his stories to us in a realistic point-of-view. The book - Safe Haven - was no different from all the Nicholas Sparks book as it had all these elements, thereby, making it a good book to read. For those of you, who haven't read the book, here's a brief background on it (don't worry I won't give too much of it away, in case you intend on reading it yourself or watch the movie in the near future): Kate finds herself living in a small, remote town called Southport. The reason why she ended up there is because of her troubling past. It is in Southport that she meets her new neighbor, Jo, and the owner of a local store, Alex. She falls for Alex but it is not soon enough till her troubling past catches up to her. Now, she must face her hectic past in order to move forward to the future with Alex.

        I know a lot of you are probably saying, the story is used up, but that's the thing with Spark's novels, he always finds a way to surprise you. Now, I am not going to say what happens but just to let you know, it gets kind of shocking towards the end. Also, the questions I had (the ones I based on the trailer) were fully answered in the book. The reason why Kate (which would be played in the movie by Julianne Hough) ran was much darker than I would've expected and Jo (which would be played by Cobie Smulders) was a much important character than what I intended her to be. All these twists in the plot kept me from putting down the book at night and sleeping. Moreover, its the simplicity in his (Sparks) writing that really makes this novel both beautiful and realistic. Lastly, who would not dream of meeting a guy like Alex, a soft-hearted gentleman, who is selfless and ultimately willing to give his life away for his children. It's doesn't hurt that they got the dashing and very handsome Josh Duhamel to play his character.

      Over-all, it was truly a good read and I really urge you all to get a copy of it. I just hope, however, that the movie can live up to the standards of the book, in the same way.