Mockingjay

"My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead. It would be best for everyone if I were dead . . ."


Mockingjay. The third book in the The Hunger Games series. This novel continues the events which took place at the second novel, Catching Fire. Katniss narrates that she was taken from the arena during the Quarter Quell and was saved by Plutarch Heavensbee, the Gamemaker, together with other living victors. Peeta and some others were taken to the Capitol. The rebellion did already start. There really is District 13, governed by President Coin. Katniss realized, she really was the Mockingjay, the one that started it all.

The novel, unlike the two others, was the one with the most deaths -- from little children to refugees to victors like Finnick to the two presidents and to Prim, her sister. Prim. I was surprised with her death. It was really unexpected and depressing to know that she was killed. She was innocent and just there to aid the injured.

The novel, written by Suzanne Collins, is I think too rushed with events happening quickly, especially the last parts. After the killings, the rebels succeeded immediately. I haven't even noticed how Snow was captured, then suddenly, he was to be executed. Then Coin was killed. Then Katniss was taken into the Training Center. Then she was freed. Then there was Peeta. Then they got married. Then they had children. It was a bit too fast for me.

Overall though, the novel is good. Not as great as the first two books though. I like how the novel ended peacefully, and Peeta and Katniss married is what I wanted since the start. I thank Suzanne Collins for her way of writing. I learned a lot from her. I'm really excited for the movie adaptation of this novel.

And ohh.


May the odds be ever in your favor...

Triple Move Treat

And here's to another batch of movies. I'm officially a movie buff.

P.S. I Love You. 2007.  This rom-com revolves around Holly (Hilary Swank) and Gerry (Gerard Butler). When Gerry died of brain tumor, Holly had a hard time moving until letters from Gerry were sent to her and does whatever the letter says. I got to say, this is one of the best rom-coms that I have ever watched. Not the greatest, but one of the best. It is a originally a novel written by Cecelia Ahern. The story was very unique of a rom-com. Imagine a dead husband still sending letters to his wife who had a hard time moving on. And with these letters, she ventured on many things. She lost her job, found another, went to places, get rid of things, bought new things and the like. The music was great as well. The background songs were very well chosen. I like the main song that the actors were singing. The actors. Well, they pulled off a great performance. You can feel their emotions, especially Hilary Swank. They can make you believe everything happened. I give this film 92%.

Hunger Games. 2012. Set in a dystopic era, this novel-turned movie explores the life Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and how she played during the 74th Hunger Games. I've personally read the book before watching the movie so as not to spoil myself, I imagined myself not having read the book yet. Great plot of the film, I have to say that it was faithful to the novel. They either had portrayed what I imagined, and/or exceeded my expectations. I know that the director made that sure, so as not to disappoint many fans of the book out there. Except for the costume Katniss and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) wore during the parade. I thought otherwise. The actors were also great. Leading them is Jennifer Lawrence with her exceptional portrayal of Katniss. The music was very well made. I cannot wait for it's sequel, Catching Fire. I grade this film 90%.

Across the Universe. 2007. Set during the Vietnam war, this musical film exploring a British man's life when he stepped foot to America. Jude (Jim Sturgess) who aboarded to USA went in search of his father. There he met Max (Joe Anderson), and Max's sister Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood). From their place, they went to New York to discover life more. This film features songs written by the Beatles so except some singing to be done. I must say, the plot is a little disoriented and there are a bit unnecessary scenes in the film. There are too much characters being introduced here and there. The songs chosen were great considering the big song book of the Beatles. Great arrangements of the song as well. The actors were good both in singing and in acting. I give this film 85%.

Another Batch of Movies

Another batch of movies. :)

Annie Hall. 1977. Co-written, starred and directed by Woody Allen, this romantic comedy film is one of the best rom-coms I've  ever seen. Filled with witty jokes and endless antics, you would never stop laughing in this film. Of course, a trademark in this film is when Alvy Singer (Allen) would talk to the camera. Other times, he would approach walking strangers and talk to them as if they knew of his situation. When there is a flashback, they are present there. That is what I like about the film. The actors were amazing especially Diane Keaton who played Annie Hall. She was natural and gracious. Then there's Paul Simon. His role was funny and unimaginable. The plot was creative and simple. A divorced man and a woman dated and would break, then dated again, then would break. Then dated, then finally broke up but had signs that they might end up together again. I would rate this film 97%.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. 2010. Based on a graphic novel, this comedy-action film is about a Canadian boy named Scott Pilgrim (played by Michael Cera) and how he fought for the seven evil ex's of Ramona Flowers, the girl of his dreams. I was very much amazed by how the film looks like a moving comics, with the onomatopeic words flashing on the screen and others. The incorporation of the arcade-like scenes and the tokens were also amazing. The story was great, and the casting was perfect. I pretty much had a good laugh at the movie. The effects great I tell you. Too bad it was not a box office hit. It could have been though. I would give this film 96%.

No Strings Attached. 2011. Starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher, this film revolves around two friends who involve themselves into some action without any relationships in between, thus the title No Strings Attached. In the end, they fell in love with each other. Simple and superficial plot with very good main actors (Portman in particular), I think this is a mediocre movie for me. Nothing spectacular where I will remember forever. I give this film 81%.

Another Movie Dose

Since it was almost a month since I last saw a movie, I started having marathons again.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. 2004. This Romantic-Comedy-Drama-Science fiction movie directed by Michael Gondry tells the tale of a guy named Joel (Jim Carrey) who went to a specialist to erase his memories with his ex-girlfriend, Clementine (Kate Winslet), when he realized that she had also erased her memory of him. While the movie develops, we witness the memory of Joel with Clementine being shown while the specialist guys try to remove it from him. I have to say that this was by far the best movie I have ever watched. Everything was perfect. The cast were excellent. Carrey and Winslet were great in their own ways. The supporting cast were also good. The story was very creative for it was non-linear and very unique. The twist at the end was just magical! The music was very well chosen and created. I'd give this movie 100%. Anyhow, the title was derived from Alexander Pope's poem entitled Eloisa to Abelard. The stanza is here.

Kabluey. 2007. It’s a Comedy film written and directed by Scott Prendergast. It’s a tale of a broke guy named Salman (played by Prendergast) who stayed with his troubled sister-in-law, Leslie (played by Lisa Kudrow) and how he handled his life living with her and her two sons. The movie was awesome, and the humor was never-ending. The direction was great. Prendergast did a good job because there were new elements I’ve seen in this film. The story was great as well. You’ll laugh, you’ll be depressed, you’ll be in awe with the story as it develops. The actors were good also. I rate this film 96%.


happythankyoumoreplease. 2010. Written and directed by Josh Radnor, this Comedy-Drama film tells the tale of New Yorkers and their struggles in love, friendship and many other more. Overall, this film is great, with a light plot and great acting. Radnor’s direction was great though this was his directional debut. The music was great! What I love about these kind of film is the music. Overall, I’d rate this 88%.





Thor. 2011. The movie is about a superhero named Thor starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, and Anthony Hopkins. According to Wikipedia, this movie tells the story of Thor, the crowned prince of Asgard, who  is exiled from his homeland to Earth. While there, he had this relationship with Jane Foster, a scientist. However, Thor stops his brother Loki, who intends to become the new king of Asgard. Overall, the movie is good. The special effects were great especially the fight scenes. Great fight scenes by the way. The actors were good. Natalie Portman is already a long-time favorite of mine and she still portrayed the role of Jane Foster well. The story also includes humor, which adds balance to the action film. Over-all, I give the movie 84%.

Captain America. 2011. Another superhero film starring Chris Evans as Captain America/Steve Rogers with Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper, Neal McDonough, and Stanley Tucci. The plot is set during the World War II. The movie is about a thin and sickly Steve Rogers who wanted to be a soldier but due to his condition, he cannot. However, because of Science and the Stark technology, he magically transformed into a fit, muscular, and strong guy. At first, he became the mascot of America until he defied his boss and fought for liberty and justice. Comparing Thor to Captain America, I prefer the latter better because this film has more action and has better story line. The special effects were great as expected. I give this film 87%.

The Time Machine. 1960. This science fiction film tells the tale of a man named George (Rod Taylor) who invented a time machine and used it himself. This caused him to travel through time. However, he traveled long enough to reach a new civilization where he met Weena, the Eloi and the Morlocks. Trying to go back to his own time, he discovered that the machine was gone. After battling the Morlocks and saving the Elois, he retrieved the machine and went back to his time, only to return to Weena afterwards. This novel-turned-movie is great in terms of special effects, acting and the story. The special effects was already ahead of its time. The actors were great, and the story was good, I was jumping up and down watching it. Though the story of a new blonde civilization in a green paradise is a bit absurd and the presence of Morlocks is impossible, the whole plot is amazing. I give this film 87%.

On Catching Fire

(Source)

After reading the Hunger Games, I immediately read it's sequel. I just cannot resist it. The sequel titled, "Catching Fire," narrates what happened to the heroine, Katniss Everdeen, after winning the 74th Hunger Games together with Peeta Mellark, both from 12th District of the country Panem. What happened during their Victory Tour. What happened at Seam. And most especially, the Quarter Quell. I was surprised when Katniss together with past victors would again fight for the title as the victor of the 75th Hunger Games. Nobody expected it coming except, of course, Suzanne Collins, the author of the trilogy.

What I love about this novel is that it was less morbid, and it has more twists than the first one. There were chapters where I am just sitting there in awe because I never expected that it would come. Especially the ending. It was the 26th chapter already and they were still inside the arena. The ending was very unpredictable. Who knew Finnick, Beetee, and Johanna were protecting Katniss all along? I never thought of that. I thought Finnick and Johanna were actually anatagonists who were trying to ally with Katniss, for she was the girl on fire.

There was one problem though. There were lots of characters in the story that I got confused with them and had to read back again to freshen my mind a bit. Nevertheless, the novel as a whole is good. I cannot wait to read Mockingjay, the third and last installment.

Hungry for More

Yesterday, I decided to read the novel my brother was so excited about, "The Hunger Games." It was never my plan to read the novel (since I'm not a book reader), but since I'm so left out because everyone seems to be in love with this book, I decided to read it. Furthermore, I've read somewhere that reading would improve the way you write. So I read it anyways. And after reading the first pages, I couldn't stop myself from reading. I could not put it down. It's a page turner! It's mind-stimulating. My mind is creating a lot of images. I'm loving this book!

(Source)

The novel by Suzanne Collins is about a 16-year old girl named Katniss Everdeen and how she dealt the Games. She volunteered in place of her 12-year old sister Prim to go to the Hunger Games. Inside the arena, there were many challenges they undertook. They had to fend for themselves -- 24 of them -- and be alive. The last person standing wins. Of course, they had to kill the other tributes (the name of the selected 24) in order to survive while the whole country watches them. Of course, since Katniss was narrating the story, I pretty knew well that she would win. However, there was a slight twist. Peeta Mellark, her co-tribute from District 12, was her co-victor. It's a long story why so you have to read the book.

I probably would read the second novel tomorrow or tonight. Whichever the case, I'm so excited. I'm so hungry for more! And ohh, I'm so excited to watch the movie.

And ohh, may the odds be ever in your favor. :)