TGIF / 23

Yeah. I don't really have too much to report other than I'm planning for this to be one long, wonderful weekend. I'm off today and Monday to spend some time with some family who came into town so I'll leave you all with a giant list of links. Happy weekend!

Bookish News

Source

Do you have bookworm problems? Pop on over to RBR or TwItter to share yours!

Let's play a game! It's called unsramble the names of these famous literary characters. Answers here.

And in other hot topics, talk about sexism in the book publishing world and blacklisted authors.

Entertainment News

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has a new movie poster and it's wicked awesome! It also has its own Instagram account.

And here are some fun facts about your favourite movies and characters.

NBC debuts its new series, Dracula, in the fall. It looks weird but I like weird so I'll probably end up watching it.

In more of "Where Are They Now?" featuring the original cast of The Power Rangers. Can you believe that this show aired 20 years ago?! 20 YEARS! God, I'm old.

The first promo pic from Season 4 of The Walking Dead.

Whose Line Is It Anyway really is back and OMG I'M GOING TO PEE MY PANTS!!

Fun Stuff!

Life lessons from The Princess Bride. 

An old school video game birthday cake. Getting old never tasted so delicious!

Here are some gorgeous Gatsby-inspired manicures.

First there was Disney princesses as modern-day college students then there was Disney couples going to prom. Now there's the almost-produced Disney Princess Academy which celebrated both the dying practice of hand-drawn art and some of Disney's most notable female characters.

Movie Review: Oblivion by Joseph Kosinski

Title: Oblivion
Director(s): Joseph Kosinski
Genre(s): Action, Romance, Science Fiction
Rating: PG-13
Release Date (USA): April 19, 2013

"60 years ago, Earth was attacked. We won the war, but they destroyed half the planet. Everyone's been evacuated. Nothing human remains. We're here for drone repair. We're the "mop-up crew." -Jack Harper

Earth has suffered a cataclysmic alien attack. In an effort to save the human race and the planet, we fight back. Nuclear weapons are deployed. We fight valiently but it is not enough. The population is decimated. Cities are destroyed. The Earth is in ruin, virtually uninhabitable. The survivors are left with no other choice but to flee the dying planet and make a new home on Titan, Saturn's largest moon.

Now imagine that you are one of the only people left on Earth, tasked with protecting and syphoning what few resources remain so that your people can survive. This is Jack Harper's (Tom Cruise) job. He and his partner, Victoria (Andrea Riseborough), are tasked with drone maintanence --- drones that are critical for protecting their harvest operations. These drones are also the last line of defense from hostile "Skav" attacks. The pair's mission commander, Sally (Melissa Leo), provides support from the space colony above. In a few short weeks, the harvesters will have collected enough of the remaining raw material needed to ensure humanity's long-term survival and Jack and Victoria can then return to their people. Only, after a drone repair goes horribly wrong, Jack is left questioning the motives behind his mission and the supposed dangers posed by the Skavs. And he quickly learns, things on the surface are not always what they seem.

You may not have noticed but I've been on a BIG sci-fi kick lately. Suffice it to say, when I saw the trailer for Oblivion coupled with the knowledge that Joseph Kosinski (of Tron: Legacy fame) was attached to direct --- welp, this was my initial reaction:

Yeah. Mega excited to say the least! Alright, so I may not be the biggest Tom Cruise fan or anything but with an all-star cast consisting of Melissa Leo, Morgan Freeman and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (aka Jamie Lannister from FREAKING Game of Thones!!!), there was no way this movie wasn't going to be a sure-fire winner. To sum up, Oblivion has everything you want/expect out of the genre: killer SFX, action aplenty, pivotal plot-twists and aliens (of course); but it also delivers more than what you initially anticipate. You go into it expecting spaceships and lasers and invasions but you come out having seen so much more.

I will utter a word of caution, however, to those of you who expect to watch an a-typical sci-fi thriller: you will probably walk away from Oblivion feeling slightly underwhelmed because the movie takes its time while unraveling its mysteries. It doesn't just jump straight into the action like many others do these days. But if you love a good storyline, I think you'll be thoroughly pleased with what you see. I have to give Kosinski credit for doing the impossible --- he finds that all-important balance between showing riveting action on screen and telling a captivating story, especially in a genre where excessiveness reigns supreme. This isn't just another alien invasion story. There's some good stuff here. And while even the most adamant of sci-fi fans might preemptively anticipate several of said plot twists, it never detracts from the intended impact.

But as much as I hail this movie for its amazingness, it's not without its flaws either. There was one big thing that forced me to knock my glowing review down from a 5-star to a 4-star rating. Oblivion isn't just a sci-fi film, oh no. It's a goddamned love story! That's right, my friends. When you expect aliens, instead you get a googly-eyed, sap-filled romance. In fact, a good chunk of the film is dedicated to this unanticipated plotline and it made me absolutely crazy! It's kinda similar to what I felt for the movie Titanic. If you take out the love stuff, the movie would've been so much better! Look, I know what you're thinking. It's not that I'm anti-love, I'm just not a fan of love where it doesn't belong ---- like on sinking ships and in goddamn alien invasions! Get with the program people! When it comes to, I dunno, my survival or getting in my kicks one last time, you bet your asses I'm gonna go with the former. Come on, man! Priorities people!

So, yeah. The love stuff. Not a big fan. And that brings me to Olga Kurylenko. Where I felt like Riseborough owned her performance (even the romantic parts), Kurylenko's character only serves to move the love story forward. And while she's not terrible, she's not exactly pivotal either --- more like, just another pretty face. Her character, while it does add some momentum to the spacey stuff, doesn't really inspire. The big surprise for me was Tom Cruise. As I said before, I'm not exactly Tom's biggest fan. For me, he plays much the same character in every movie he's in --- the more-than-meets-the-eye-bad-ass on a mission who ends up questioning authority.

Oh, hey Tom Cruise! Is that you?!

That's essentially the case here, only there's more of a softness behind his performance than I've seen in recent years. And where Cruise can sometimes seem a bit alien in real life, he's shockingly human in Oblivion. He proabaly won't win any awards for this performance but you do have to appreciate those subtle nuances that cause you to sympathize with his character's plight. Another suprise for me was how little screen time Melissa Leo and Morgan Freeman are given. Their roles albeit miniscule, do serve a larger, more all-encompassing purpose though. They each serve as a meaningful addition and do shine with whatever time they're alloted. I won't say much on Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's character other than HUBBA-HUBBA! I mean, seriously. Look at the man!

Officer Schmexy at your service!

I digress. It's easy for me to get off track when I'm staring at the smoldering gaze of Office Schmexy over here. Let me just clean the drool off my keyboard and we'll soldier on...

Another amazingly effective role in the film was actually that of the drones. They are surprisingly animated, each reflecting distinctive and tempramental personalities. They kind of reminded me of WALL-E, in a more deadly, shoot-em-up kind of way. Their almost human nature highlighted the terrifying and hostile situation while also bringing the comedy needed to lighten the mood. And to this I tip my hat to the SFX guru's behind-the-scenes. Much of the drones' character was emphasized by the incredible realness of the barren landscape and the stark modernness of their technology. It also doesn't hurt that I saw the movie in IMAX so much more attention to detail is paid visually as well as audibly. I'd say that I had some fairly high expectations for this film, most of which were met. Oblivion is wrought with surprises mostly good, some bad; but overall, I was pretty blown away this post-apocalyptic journey and the depth to which it went.

 

Summary Prognosis

Oblivion is a surprisingly contemplative film with genre-defying cinematography. For a flawed film, strong performances, unexpected plot twists and appropriately timed action still make it a must-see. And despite complaints that I might have, I think both fans and non-fans of the genre can find something to enjoy whether it be the sci-finess of the journey or the romance that drives it. Oblivion is a sure bet for all!


Rating: ★★★★


Watch It: This movie is currently out in theatres
Discuss It: IMDB
View the Trailer:

TGIF / 22

I really wish I had some super exciting news for you guys this week, but I don't because I'm boring like that. It also might have something to do with the fact that I've been pushing a bunch of overtime at work so I haven't had the time for books and movies and fun things. Alas, the only real accomplishment I can be proud of is that I published one book review and scoured the interwebs for fun things in which to sidetrack myself. So yeah, I guess there's always that. God, I need a drink. Happy weekend to all and Happy Mother's Day to all you kick-ass mums out there! Peace.

Bookish News

Rick Yancey on his latest success, The 5th Wave.

 

Bookshelvers Anonymous takes a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Destination? The American Girls series. Which one were you? I was a Samantha!

 

Cover reveal: the final book in Veronica Roth's Divergent trilogy, Allegiant.

 

Author Harper Lee (of To Kill A Mockingbird fame) is suing her agent over the rights to the literary work. Yikes!

 

This is Lisa's take on why we should read for love. Say hello to my new mantra!

 

And this is what fashionistas read on the beach, apparently.

 

Literary tattoos like this inspired me to get personal and talk about my own tattoo here.

 

Entertainment News

There was a Goonies reunion and dear God, why wasn't I invited?!

 

They've finally cast Luke Evans as the lead in The Crow reboot. Any thoughts?

 

The full Ender's Game trailer is finally here.

 

Ray Harryhausen, SFX guru behind the creatures of classics such as Sinbad, Clash of the Titans (the original) and Jason and the Argonauts, has just passed away. Live on monster man! Live on!

 

The anticipated Summer 2014 release date  of Jurassic Park 4 has been pushed back, indefinitely.

 

Here's a first look at Megan Fox as April O'Neil. No, Michael Bay. Just no.

 

Fun Stuff!

The mantis shrimp is the harbinger of blood-soaked rainbows. Find out why.

 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles made from twist-ties. That is all you need to know.

 

The Walking Dead has their own official zombie school! Where do I sign up!?

Book Review: Terra by Gretchen Powell

Title: Terra
Author(s): Gretchen Powell
Genre(s): Dystopia, Young Adult
Publisher/Date: Hopewell Media / December 10, 2012
Series: Terrestrials (Book #1)

"It really is a different world up here. On the face of every beautifully made-up woman and cleanly shaven man is a look of pure, unencumbered delight. A look that makes it very obvious they have never known the hardship of the groundworld. And they never will. Not while we are there to endure it for them.” -Terra Rhodon (pg.385)

Summary Prognosis

A broken and desolate Earth. A young girl simply trying to survive. A lost boy with a powerful secret.

A discovery that will change everything.

In the distant wake of a plague that has decimated the Earth's population, humanity is split in two: The rich and powerful live in skycities that float overhead, while those who remain on the ground have gathered in settlements strewn across a dying planet. Eighteen-year-old Terra Rhodon is a terrestrial--a denizen of the barren groundworld--who makes her living as a scav. Long abandoned by her father, her caregivers gone, Terra supports herself and her younger brother, Mica, by scouring the earth for discarded scraps and metals to recycle for profit. One day, while on a routine scavenging run, she discovers something that shocks her home settlement of Genesis X-16. When the value of her discovery is revealed, Terra's world is turned upside down.

Terra suddenly finds herself asking questions no one will answer. Her search for the truth leads her to Adam--a beguiling skydweller unlike any she has ever met. But Adam has secrets and a quest of his own. With him by her side, the world Terra thought she knew begins to unravel. Soon her discoveries unearth a terrifying conspiracy that has the potential to shatter everything--a revelation that will test the bonds of loyalty, family, and love.

The Game's Afoot

Hmm, let's see, how do I describe all the aspects of Terra? A post-apocalyptic world set on a dying planet. CHECK! A governmental conspiracy and shady cover-up attempt. CHECK! A kick-ass heroine fighting for the future of all mankind. CHECK! Hunky mysterious loner-dude to save the day. CHECK! Terra has all of the qualities that I typically look for in a dystopian YA. Now all that being said, why is it I was left with such a feeling of dissatisfaction in the end? Let's do some digging, shall we?

I initially read Terra at the behest of Kay (read her review here) and because, frankly, it sounds like my kinda story. I love dystopias and it's quickly risen to be one of my favourite genres. In the past I've been completely blown away by The Hunger Games, V for Vendetta and the Under The Never Sky series. Unfortunately, dystopia happens to be one of those genres that's very hit-or-miss and lately I've been mega-burned by a number of popular books (namely The Maze Runner series and Divergent). It would seem that Terra also falls into the latter, the category I like to refer to as "The Wompa".

At first I thought I might have fallen victim to another bout of the motivation zap but then after forcing myself to push through it, I realized something. Terra--- it's not me, it's you. You're one of those very deceptive books --- full of promising potential yet completely underwhelming in your execution. It's not that the premise itself was bad, oh no, you had all the elements I generally enjoy in a post-apocalyptic scenario, it's just that there was no real connection forged between myself and your characters or their unforgiving world. Forgive me for saying, but you came across as dull, predictable and somewhat cliched. Basically, you bit off more than you could chew. I held out hope that maybe by the end I'd relegate you to my beloved "awesomely bad" category, but no. Just no. I was less than impressed.

It's hard to explain but something just didn't click and I wish I had a better way to describe my lack of enthusiasm for this book but I don't. I felt like Powell tried too hard and there was too much going on --- the governmental conspiracy bit, the hard-hitting environmental message, class issues, aliens and... wait, have I said too much? Natch. There's just SO much happening that it didn't feel cohesive or well thought-out. And I guess my biggest issue was my connection to the characters --- as in, there wasn't one. I just didn't care. It's not like they were bad, they were just bland shells of characters that I've seen before. I wanted someone unique, someone who had some consistency (as in other than their consistently fluctuating personality, I mean). And I guess if you don't care about the characters, no matter how amazing the plot might be, that book isn't going to fare well. 

I feel kinda bad about railing on this book because I know it meant well and all, and I guess if I can say one good thing about it, it's that I really appreciated Powell's choice in character names. Most of our main peeps (Terra, Mica and Adam) all have cleverly appropriated names that related to some key aspect of the book, whether it be a plot or an overall theme. Another thing I enjoyed was that Terra is one of those books that promoes a message, one which is part environmental and part human rights. But while those are both issues I fully support, the book often comes across as heavy-handed and preachy (even for my liking). That being said, however in-your-face the message is, it's one I can get down with having worked in an envrionmental non-profit for over three years. I'd just like to note that it might not be for everyone due to its intensity.

Basically, every time I had a choice of picking up this book or doing something else, well, I generally leaned towards doing that something else. I mustered up a lot of effort to finish Terra, which is such a shame because it could've been SO MUCH MORE. Instead it came off feeling hollow and empty. I'm not sure if this is Powell's first attempt at writing dystopia but the book came off feeling a bit too novice. I dunno. Maybe I'm being too harsh here. Maybe this is the discontent voice of someone who's seen it all, read it all before. Maybe it's not entirely your fault, Terra. Just maybe...

Summary Prognosis

Terra is one of those books that has all the elements of a great dystopia but fails in the execution. I really wanted to like it more than I actually did though I tried very hard to give it the benefit of the doubt. Whether due to the preachiness of its message or the lack of a connection to any of the characters, it just didn't quite measure up to many of its more popular predecessors. And even though the book isn't to my liking, I do think it's a great intro if you're just getting into the dystopia genre.


Rating: ★★½


Read It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Discuss It: Goodreads | Author's Website

TGIF / 21

You guys, last weekend I did the one thing I said I was never gonna do... I got a smartphone. I know! It's not like I really had much of a choice in the matter anyway. My poor little Pantech was on it's last leg and I had all of five (count em', FIVE) non-smartphone options. Yeah. It's absurd. The good news is that I can now delve headfirst into social media and give you guys up-to-date, play-by-play news and photos and respond to convos (when I should really be working) and all that good stuff. I haven't been brave enough to sign up for Twitter quite yet but you can still find me on Facebook and now Instagram, so check it out because your support means the world to me. Plus there will be photos of puppies and who doesn't love that?! Oh, and feliz cinco de Mayo amigos! Drink lots of margaritas. Ole!

Bookish News

Marie Lu talks about Champion, the final book in the Legend trilogy.

Can you solve these novel pictograms? Check the answers to see how you did!

A little teaser from book #3 in Veronica Rossi's Under The Never Sky series. SQUEEEEEE!!

Entertainment News

Where are they now: Drop Dead Gorgeous edition.

Jurassic Park 4 returns to Isla Nublar. This is going to be EPIC!

Apparently, Michael Bay's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot is NOT going to make the turtles aliens. Well thank god! Now if only Michael Bay wasn't directing it... one can dream!

If these Reading Rainbow bloopers don't make your day, then we're not friends anymore.

Two words, one number: Magic Mike 2. Yes folks, it's actually happening!

Fun Stuff!

Many movie/TV sci-fi gadgets aren't really what you think they are. My mind = blown.

Zombie slingshots --- the new way to save yourself in the apocalypse.

Funny oxymorons for writers.

FYI: It's awesome to be a nerd. Why? Because Wil Wheaton says so. Yeah, just you try to argue with that logic. Can't be done.

The story behind Queen's biggest hit, Bohemian Rhapsody. Ya know, just in case you wanted to know.