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!

HARRY POTTER EXCITEMENT

WE GET ANOTHER HARRY POTTER STORY TOMORROW!!!!!!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 

By: JK Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne

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! 

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!

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

 

Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi 

August 30, 2016

 

Empire of Storms by Sarah J Maas

September 6, 2016

 

Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige

September 20, 2016

 

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

September 27, 2016

 

Bright Smoke, Cold Fire by Rosamund Hodge

September 27, 2016

 

Strange the Dreamer

September 27, 2016 

  

 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.

The 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!

Bellarke (The 100): A Ship in My Fleet

A Ship in My Fleet

Bellarke 

From: The 100 by Kass Morgan

***I am not sure what I will be spoiling and/or from which books they could be from. Assume this whole post has spoilers***

 

Soooo..... where I'm at the the series (book 1), they aren't really a thing thing yet. But I'm a pro at shipping almost non-existent ships. There is backup for this one though! They had their kiss (one of the best parts) and they are sort of hovering around their feelings for each other. It kills me because this is one of those situations where they're both liking each other, but not saying anything because they're getting opposite signals from the other. Wrong signals, but still there. And they are going to be awesome once they happen in the series- because I have a feeling they will happen- and I will fully support it.

When I Started Shipping:

I am not entirely sure when I started shipping them, but I do. I think it may have been around the time that they were both walking around trying to find the medicine and they were talking about Earth stuff. Their previous misconceptions about personalities were knocked down and they learned that they had common ground between them. They seemed to get along well and then the kiss happened. So that kinda sealed the deal.

 

Favorite Cannon Moment:

That kiss!!! I approve I beyond approve. Approval can barely describe how happy it mad me and it makes me sound like a creep. But it was that moment when the pieces of their personalities clicked and I realized they'll be really good for each other. There were later moments too, when there wasn't anything actually happening, but it was their POVs and they were both just thinking about the other one. I thought those parts were really cute and adorable. It shows that neither of them are pretending or putting on a show.

 

Bellamy:

Not going to lie, I love how he is so protective. It comes from him needing to protect his sister, but it is totally a part of his personality and I can definitely see that spreading into a relationship with Clarke. Not only that, but he genuinely wants to take care of people and has a natural sense of leadership.

Clarke:

I feel really bad for Clarke. She has had a tough time with her parents, and then trying to make the whole Earth thing happen. But she needs someone to rely on and confide in, and Bellamy is a perfect fit for that. He is so similar to her, but at the same time is like the opposite half of her, so there is a balance between the two of them.

Bellarke:

Bellamy and Clarke are the kinds of people that are both independent, but they can work really well together and trust each other and be there for each other and make sure the correct decisions are made. Plus, he made Clarke feel better after her parents death, Wells's betrayal, being captive and exiled, etc. And she was able to get him to stop worrying about Octavia for a little while.