Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Paul x Sarah (Saul?) from Orphan Black: A Ship in My Fleet

A Ship in My Fleet
Saul (Paul x Sarah)
From: Orphan Black
***Season 1 spoilers are very possible. Read at your own risk***


I don't actually have much evidence to support this ship. I just do.... 

I started watching Orphan Black from BBC America recently and I totally get why there is so much hype about it. Oh. My. Goodness. Freaking amazingness- that's what this show is made of. I've only seen season one so far, but even now, I am totally shipping Paul and Sarah. Luckily, I have absolutely no idea what is going to happen in later seasons, so I can just watch through them and fully experience the episodes provided I don't get spoiled by anyone. 

When I started shipping:
To be completely honest, I think I  started shipping them when Paul came to the precinct to pick up "Beth"/"Sarah" but it was really Helena that made the call. I'm just realizing now that this post may get difficult to follow. Anyway, I loved how he balanced being supportive and concerned in that moment. 

Favorite Cannon Moment:
Of all the moments that these two shared in this season, I think my favorite would be when Paul is tied up in the basement of the Neolution club and Sarah goes to rescue him. He just leans his head on her arm because he can't do anything else and it was just a really awesome moment. It was like they were drawing support from each other and it was also a really defining moment in their relationship in that Paul proves his loyalty to Sarah and places his trust in her.

Sarah:
Sarah may be one of my favorite fictional characters of all time, across all books, movies, and TV shows, I think she is one of the most impressive. Since the first episode, she has had to make impossible decisions, think on her feet, and act a thousand different parts and roles. She is incredibly smart and strong. 

Paul:
He's a bit of a mystery for a while. But then, learning of his past by the end of the season and seeing throughout the season how he proves himself to Sarah through his actions makes him super interesting and I can't wait to see more of him in the next season. What I find super interesting is that he didn't love Beth. But I feel like he's falling for Sarah.

Saul:
I actually have no clue if they have a ship name... because Saul is an actual name in itself. Parah? Either way, I think they should end up together. I feel like they're already drifting in that direction, but mostly just on Paul's part. Sarah is sort of busy at the moment and has bigger priorities that she needs to straighten out. But she can trust Paul! I want her to trust Paul more and let him in!!!!

Again, this is all based on season 1, but I cannot wait to watch the other seasons and see how this progresses. 

Thanks for reading!    

Sunday, July 31, 2016

Batman vs Superman Movie Review

Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice Movie Review
3.5 out of 5 Stars

I love superhero movies, both from DC and Marvel, so I was really looking forward to this one. And it was pretty good. But it seemed a little overwhelmed with details and it took quite a bit of time to set up all of those details. That being said, I actually really loved the ending. I think that this movie was overall a really great set up for other potentially amazing movies.

The acting was good- it certainly had some really great actors and actresses in it. And being someone from outside of the comic-book-reading community (I know... shameful) I thought that the characters fit in well with each other and how they interacted. I did get slightly confused when Lex called Superman's mom Martha, but then I realized that both his and Batman's moms were named that. Batman was the one character were I was slightly confused for a bit.... he just seemed even darker and more merciless (?) than what I was used to. Other than that, I have nothing else to say. They did good staying in their characters and bringing them to life.

I know that there are people who say the scoring wasn't that great and made the movie seem even broodier than it already is, but I actually really enjoyed it. In general, I am a huge fan of Han Zimmer, and I loved the music that he helped create in this movie. I though it fit well and was dramatic enough to bring home certain points of the story. Yes, it was dark music, but it was also a dark movie... fitting then right?


The only major thing I didn't like about this film was how long it was. The set up took ages.... and I know that all those details were necessary to make sure the content and extent of what was happening was clear, but I was still losing focus after awhile. At a certain point though, it does pick up and from that point on things are moving and moving spectacularly. Like I said, I loved the ending. I thought that it was really interesting and while a part of me wishes that Wonder Woman had been there sooner (as Wonder Woman), I think her role was played well and I am looking forward to the next DC movie. Which happens to be Suicide Squad. >:) I AM SO EXCITED FOR THAT ONE!

Back to this movie, 3.5 stars mostly because of the extremely long set up. I would still recommend seeing this though because I feel like it is going to be a cornerstone for many more movies to come, and there were some really great scenes in it.

Thanks for reading!

Saturday, July 30, 2016

HARRY POTTER EXCITEMENT

WE GET ANOTHER HARRY POTTER STORY TOMORROW!!!!!!
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 
By: JK Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne
29056083

Releases: July 31, 2016
THAT IS TOMORROW

I will admit, I may have actually cried when I found out that they were publishing the script for the play. Because, sadly, I cannot afford to fly to London and see it in person. But now I can buy it and I will probably be up bright and early tomorrow to make sure that I get my hands on a copy asap!!! 

From what I understand, this is sort of like book number 8, but not book number 8, because it is when Harry's kids are in school and he's working and it follows all of this post-war stuff. I super excited to get to see all of the characters again though, and all of their babies too!!!  **Squeals**

(I hope Scorpius and Rose are a thing, because Dramione never really happened :/ ......)

Tomorrow is going to be a big day for all of us muggles. July 31... any0ne else get the date? Hehe- it makes me smile. I hope you guys are just as excited for this book as I am!! Good luck tomorrow and may it be with all of us as we try to control the feels!

Thanks for reading! 

Friday, July 29, 2016

My Top 10 Historical Fiction Books






My Top 10 Historical Fiction Books

10. Distant Waves by Suzanne Weyn
          Time period: 1914
          Where: Titanic

9. The Diviners by Libba Bray
          Time period: 1926
          Where: New York

8. The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman
          Time period: WWII
          Where: Prague, Czech Republic

7. Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys
          Time period: 1950
          Where: New Orleans
6. In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
          Time period: 1960
          Where: Dominican Republic

5. The Physick Book of Deliverence Dane by Kathrine Howe
          Time period: Modern, but about 1692
          Where: New England

4. Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
          Time period: 1945
          Where: Baltic Sea

3. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
          Time period: 1964
          Where: South Carolina

2. The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander
          Time period:  1917
          Where: St. Petersburg
 
1. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
          Time period: 1941
          Where: Lithuania, Russia

Thanks for reading!

Cinderella Man Movie Review



Movie Review
Cinderella Man  (2005)
5 out of 5 Stars
This is one of my absolute favorite movies. Starring so many wonderful actors and actresses like Russell Crowe, Renee Zellweger, and Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man is the true story of the boxer James Braddock living during the Great Depression. I originally saw this movies years ago back in school and have loved it ever since. Not only does the plot move at an appropriate tempo, but it is moving itself and masterfully put together. I cannot speak for its accuracy from any sort of personal or second-hand experience, but I have heard from others that it paints a very good picture of what people had to endure and how they lived. It is a reminder that we are so incredibly lucky today with everything that we have. For those looking at the cover to the left and thinking girly movie, you could not be more wrong. There are mostly boxing scenes, moments when the characters show what people had to do to make ends meet and the different ways that people lived to keep up appearances if they could.

Not only does it bear an incredible story, but it is done so well. The actors' work was phenomenal and they interacted seamlessly with each other. I'm not sure if it had been nominated or had won any awards, but I definitely would not be surprised if it had. The setting and script were amazing too. One of the moments that sticks to me the most is when Braddock was being interview and one of them asks, What do you fight for now? And is reply is, Milk. There were times when he was going to stop, lose a fight. But then thinking about his family and how he could lose his children made him push through when he probably should have stopped. The layout of the movie is done well too, showing the true "Cinderella" part of the story. He started rich and famous, but then the Depression hit and things got bad quickly. An opportunity comes around though and James Braddock is able to pull himself out of his situation and live better. We get to see all of this, along with other information at the end.

The story shown in this film is one of hope and endurance. James Braddock was a symbol for hope and second-chances at this time. Even now, we can take something from this movie: when things have been lost and you are at your worst, a second-chance will come around. Grab it, and look for better days. It may not be easy, but it is more than possible.

If I could, I would give this movie more than 5 stars.

Thanks for reading!

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Anticipated Book Releases: August/September

Anticipated Book Releases
August and September

There are always so many good books coming out soon and these are only a few!! I highly recommend looking into them, because I have a feeling they will all be spectacular and I simply cannot wait to get my hands on them. I hope you will join my excitement and read them with me. :)

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir
 August 30, 2016
 25558608
Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi 
August 30, 2016
 28110143
Empire of Storms by Sarah J Maas
September 6, 2016
 28260587
Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige
September 20, 2016
 28260524
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
September 27, 2016
 22299763
Bright Smoke, Cold Fire by Rosamund Hodge
September 27, 2016
 28448239
Strange the Dreamer
September 27, 2016 
 28145767 
 Thanks for reading!

Bristles by Donna Callea Review WITH SPOILERS



Bristles by Donna Callea
Review WITH SPOILERS
4 out of 5 Stars
This was a really interesting book; it was a kind of combination between magic and dystopian societies, but it was blended together extremely well. When it started out, it was almost point by point for Cinderella. Its her and her dad, then he marries a women with two brats, and then he dies and the girl is mistreated by her step-mother, and there's a rich prince charming. Not really unique, but as the plot developed more, there were some more depth and detail.

17797755The entire world was very diverse which was cool to read. There was a stark difference between the bleak drabness of Erba, Bristles home country, and the bright, colorful, and spiritual Fiss, her mother's native country. Erba was very technological and had a huge regard for class and proper positioning in society. Whereas Fiss is very natural and egalitarian and still functions just as well as Erba. There was something that confused me though: in Erba, there were iPad-ish devices that the students and rich used, but at the same time they didn't have cars, only coaches and they mentioned other older things. So it just seemed to be a mix of different time periods, so I couldn't get a good idea of the time period. However, I think that was supposed to be irrelevant, almost like this is all on a different planet.

A huge thing that I loved about this book was that the impossible was made possible. Several times, Bristles was put into a situation that seemed like there was no way out: I couldn't fabricate any sort of escape plan with the given background knowledge and it was almost depressing. But then, she would find a way to get past any boundaries in her way and get done what needed to be done. She is a very strong character and it was amazing to see her grow in confidence and bravery throughout the book, not to mention her skills. She starts as a little bug trapped under her mother's boot, but then grows to be much more than anyone's expectations.

Two little things left:
a) It was really easy to read. It was straightforward not extremely complicated.
b) I really love the idea of becoming one with a tree... I wish I could take a nap in a tree... I'll put that on my bucket list :) 

Thanks for reading!