Author note 1: Hi everyone! I've also decided to upload (mainly short) stories onto my blog. The genres I'll mainly be focussing on are dystopian, psychological, and romance (haha odd one out). This is just for fun and to practice my writing skills, but please do not rip off or plagiarise my stories (and poetry!) Thanks~
Friday, 10 May 2013
Sunday, 17 February 2013
Sunday, 20 January 2013
Film review - Life of Pi
Hello everyone! I'm back again, with a film review for "Life of Pi"!
Synopsis: Based on the novel, this movie is about a boy named "Pi" who is migrating to Canada when the boat sinks, carrying all of his family with him. On the lifeboat, several animals travel with him before in the end, only the man eating tiger Richard Parker is left. Pi must learn to work with the tiger before the reach their destination - home.
Opinion: I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Though it is not a favourite, the complex and intriguing story had me hooked as I wondered how they were going to get back. The animation was quite beautiful (though is some parts, faintly unrealistic) and the characters well rounded. The ending also left me quite interested and may leave a lot of viewers unsatisfied, however it allows for discussion. The movie also raises some interesting questions about religion and morality without being overbearing and at times, quite humorous.
Rating: 8/10
SPOILERS/DISCUSSION AHEAD, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
From my understanding, the movie and the book have two slightly different readings. (Note I haven't read it, merely researched it.) The book suggests that the animals truly existed, with Pi's story to the men being one of monotone recitation. On the other hand, the movie suggests that the animals did not exist, and that in Pi's dehydrated, starved and isolated state, his own imagination conjured up animals as ways to cope, with the writer rather explicitly saying which each animal represented, and that the tiger was probably a manifestation of Pi's irrational (see what I did there?) side.
So your question probably is "Which was the real story?" Like Pi says, "Which story do you prefer?" I've decided that the reading that each text gives reflects which one was the 'real story'. In the end though, that is for you to choose. And neither is 'wrong'.
So what were your thoughts on the ending? Let me know in a comment below.
PS: I've also been planning to upload stories onto this blog. Most will be original fiction, with just one fanfiction being planned (I promise to make it good haha). What do you guys think? The fanfiction's going to be about Doctor Who.
Till next time!
Synopsis: Based on the novel, this movie is about a boy named "Pi" who is migrating to Canada when the boat sinks, carrying all of his family with him. On the lifeboat, several animals travel with him before in the end, only the man eating tiger Richard Parker is left. Pi must learn to work with the tiger before the reach their destination - home.
Opinion: I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Though it is not a favourite, the complex and intriguing story had me hooked as I wondered how they were going to get back. The animation was quite beautiful (though is some parts, faintly unrealistic) and the characters well rounded. The ending also left me quite interested and may leave a lot of viewers unsatisfied, however it allows for discussion. The movie also raises some interesting questions about religion and morality without being overbearing and at times, quite humorous.
Rating: 8/10
SPOILERS/DISCUSSION AHEAD, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
From my understanding, the movie and the book have two slightly different readings. (Note I haven't read it, merely researched it.) The book suggests that the animals truly existed, with Pi's story to the men being one of monotone recitation. On the other hand, the movie suggests that the animals did not exist, and that in Pi's dehydrated, starved and isolated state, his own imagination conjured up animals as ways to cope, with the writer rather explicitly saying which each animal represented, and that the tiger was probably a manifestation of Pi's irrational (see what I did there?) side.
So your question probably is "Which was the real story?" Like Pi says, "Which story do you prefer?" I've decided that the reading that each text gives reflects which one was the 'real story'. In the end though, that is for you to choose. And neither is 'wrong'.
So what were your thoughts on the ending? Let me know in a comment below.
PS: I've also been planning to upload stories onto this blog. Most will be original fiction, with just one fanfiction being planned (I promise to make it good haha). What do you guys think? The fanfiction's going to be about Doctor Who.
Till next time!
Tuesday, 25 December 2012
Film review 2 - Perks of Being a Wallflower
Hi guys~ Here's my review on Perks of Being a Wallflower! This
is one of the movies I was waiting for quite eagerly ^_^ I know the
novel is probably better and I'll DEFINITELY read it, but anyways, let's go!
Synopsis: Charlie starts high school with no friends and a lack of support. When he meets Patrick and Sam, they and their circle befriend him. The issues in their lives become major turning points for change, and sometimes conflict.
Opinion: In the very beginning, the story feels as if it'll be yet another coming-of-age movie, filled with pigeon hole characters and overdone plotlines.
Charlie (Logan Lerman) seems like your typical, antisocial protagonist. Patrick (Ezra Miller) appears to be pretty much the outgoing, worldly mentor. Emma Watson's character, Sam, reminded me at first of the trope Manic Pixie Dream girl, whose aim is simply to induce Charlie to get his act on!
But through the course of the movie, I discovered they were more than just that: they were incredibly portrayed and multi-faceted. Charlie wasn't just unable to gain friends for being 'uncool', Patrick wasn't just the 'gay friend' and Sam wasn't just the 'MPDG with the bad past'. They had their faults, their backstories (even though most were never fully explained) and were incredibly 3D. The "island of misfit toys", though a typical aspect to the bildungsroman genre, engaged me with their eccentricities.
And I'm a big sucker for good characters, so everything else might as well be perfect, haha.
Seriously though, the story itself was interesting though average (as it had the potential to flop as 'yet another one of those films'), but the characters pulled it up and made it spectacular and memorable. And as for the ending? It was hopeful, bittersweet and brilliant.
Rating: 9/10
(And yes, I cried.)
Till next time!
Opinion: In the very beginning, the story feels as if it'll be yet another coming-of-age movie, filled with pigeon hole characters and overdone plotlines.
Charlie (Logan Lerman) seems like your typical, antisocial protagonist. Patrick (Ezra Miller) appears to be pretty much the outgoing, worldly mentor. Emma Watson's character, Sam, reminded me at first of the trope Manic Pixie Dream girl, whose aim is simply to induce Charlie to get his act on!
But through the course of the movie, I discovered they were more than just that: they were incredibly portrayed and multi-faceted. Charlie wasn't just unable to gain friends for being 'uncool', Patrick wasn't just the 'gay friend' and Sam wasn't just the 'MPDG with the bad past'. They had their faults, their backstories (even though most were never fully explained) and were incredibly 3D. The "island of misfit toys", though a typical aspect to the bildungsroman genre, engaged me with their eccentricities.
And I'm a big sucker for good characters, so everything else might as well be perfect, haha.
Seriously though, the story itself was interesting though average (as it had the potential to flop as 'yet another one of those films'), but the characters pulled it up and made it spectacular and memorable. And as for the ending? It was hopeful, bittersweet and brilliant.
Rating: 9/10
(And yes, I cried.)
Till next time!
Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Movie review - Pitch Perfect
Hey everyone! Here's what I think of Pitch Perfect~
Pitch Perfect
Alright, this is probably going to sound a little harsh and may be a little unpopular. But I'll be truthful: critically, I didn't like it at all. The character development was brief and shallow, before a cheesy "Deep and Meaningful Conversation" in order to try to add a 3D element to the characters. The movie itself was slow to start and sort of drifted, as if unsure of where to go. The humour falls flat in many cases, except half of Fat Amy's lines. And the big one, the movie ended EXACTLY how I predicted it to be. It followed every mould, every stereotype, every pigeonhole that musical movies have to offer.
However, personally, I believe the movie had some redeemable qualities. It was meant to be a fun movie aimed at teens, and that achieved. As well, I quite liked the musical mash ups and (shh don't tell anyone) sang quietly right along with them!
Overall, a light, gradually more likeable/entertaining though cheesy movie. Don't be in for the story but just watch it with your mates and have fun with it. ^_^
Humour: 3/5
Story: 2/5
Music: 4/5
Overall rating: 6/10
Pitch Perfect
Alright, this is probably going to sound a little harsh and may be a little unpopular. But I'll be truthful: critically, I didn't like it at all. The character development was brief and shallow, before a cheesy "Deep and Meaningful Conversation" in order to try to add a 3D element to the characters. The movie itself was slow to start and sort of drifted, as if unsure of where to go. The humour falls flat in many cases, except half of Fat Amy's lines. And the big one, the movie ended EXACTLY how I predicted it to be. It followed every mould, every stereotype, every pigeonhole that musical movies have to offer.
However, personally, I believe the movie had some redeemable qualities. It was meant to be a fun movie aimed at teens, and that achieved. As well, I quite liked the musical mash ups and (shh don't tell anyone) sang quietly right along with them!
Overall, a light, gradually more likeable/entertaining though cheesy movie. Don't be in for the story but just watch it with your mates and have fun with it. ^_^
Humour: 3/5
Story: 2/5
Music: 4/5
Overall rating: 6/10
Monday, 10 December 2012
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
Team Human review + discussion
Hi guys I'm back with a book review! So I read the book "Team Human", co-written by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan. Yes - this was the book kindly given to me free of charge by the Children's Bookstore of Beecroft! This post is 100% my opinion, and there may be some spoilers in this review.
Synopsis: Mel's best friend, Cathy, is falling in love with a vampire. However Mel is furious as vampires are extremely dangerous. Mel tries to separate them for Cathy's own good, and along the way, finds out the truth about her friend, Anne's, father.
Opinion: I was a little skeptical at first because there was much potential for this book to be "another trashy vampire story". I was pleased to say it was very much the opposite.
Firstly, the characters are well mostly rounded. The protagonist, Mel, is a delight to read about. She is sarcastic, and unafraid of speaking her mind. She has her faults of butting in to her friends' businesses but she means the best. Her friend, Cathy, feels a little like the stereotypical girl-falling-in-love, bordering-but-just-missing Mary Sue, however her character is better developed towards the end of the book. Francis was also like this, though the interaction between Mel and Francis amuses me to no end. Anne and Ty were excellent as side characters, with Ty being an awesome fanboy xD Kit was also interesting as the love interest of Mel and a human raised by vampires
The storyline itself could have fallen into the pit of teen trashiness, however instead, it is an on-the-toes, mystery/fantasy/scifi/romance combo. Although I guessed what had happened to Anne's dad quite a bit before it happened; it was nevertheless a fresh read - a book not so much centred on the forbidden romance of vampires as it was one of friendship and understanding. (And yes, some romance!)
There was another aspect in the book that was memorable - the diversity of the characters. Several characters in the book have been mentioned to be gay/lesbian/etc but the amazing and awesome thing was that they were not labelled as such, but rather just passed on as "(Female name) and (Female name)" or "(male name) and (male name)". Like it's just another relationship (which it should be!!) The characters were also all of different ethnicity, which many authors forget/struggle with. The protagonist is Chinese, and one of her close friends is African-American. Most novels have characters of these races as passing side characters. So both of these factors I was very pleased and impressed with.
Overall, I enjoyed the novel. I would wholeheartedly recommend it!
8.5/10
I'm also reading Evernight and a few other vampire novels. :D Evernight's kinda on the trashy vampire novel side... sadly...
Till next time!
Synopsis: Mel's best friend, Cathy, is falling in love with a vampire. However Mel is furious as vampires are extremely dangerous. Mel tries to separate them for Cathy's own good, and along the way, finds out the truth about her friend, Anne's, father.
Opinion: I was a little skeptical at first because there was much potential for this book to be "another trashy vampire story". I was pleased to say it was very much the opposite.
Firstly, the characters are well mostly rounded. The protagonist, Mel, is a delight to read about. She is sarcastic, and unafraid of speaking her mind. She has her faults of butting in to her friends' businesses but she means the best. Her friend, Cathy, feels a little like the stereotypical girl-falling-in-love, bordering-but-just-missing Mary Sue, however her character is better developed towards the end of the book. Francis was also like this, though the interaction between Mel and Francis amuses me to no end. Anne and Ty were excellent as side characters, with Ty being an awesome fanboy xD Kit was also interesting as the love interest of Mel and a human raised by vampires
The storyline itself could have fallen into the pit of teen trashiness, however instead, it is an on-the-toes, mystery/fantasy/scifi/romance combo. Although I guessed what had happened to Anne's dad quite a bit before it happened; it was nevertheless a fresh read - a book not so much centred on the forbidden romance of vampires as it was one of friendship and understanding. (And yes, some romance!)
There was another aspect in the book that was memorable - the diversity of the characters. Several characters in the book have been mentioned to be gay/lesbian/etc but the amazing and awesome thing was that they were not labelled as such, but rather just passed on as "(Female name) and (Female name)" or "(male name) and (male name)". Like it's just another relationship (which it should be!!) The characters were also all of different ethnicity, which many authors forget/struggle with. The protagonist is Chinese, and one of her close friends is African-American. Most novels have characters of these races as passing side characters. So both of these factors I was very pleased and impressed with.
Overall, I enjoyed the novel. I would wholeheartedly recommend it!
8.5/10
I'm also reading Evernight and a few other vampire novels. :D Evernight's kinda on the trashy vampire novel side... sadly...
Till next time!
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