Vampires, Sci-Fi, fairy tales and everything in between

Morning!

Here is my second enstallment of Movies of 2012:

Breaking Dawn part two: 

The memory of this movie is still fresh, and I can honestly say that it is the best of the franchise. It proved a lot of things, but mostly that actors can develop from mediocre to good, screenplay can be well executed, and a movie can keep to the book and still be a blockbuster. It was the best end I could have imagined for a saga I believed would bore. It stayed true to its original cast, and chose characters shockingly accurate for new roles. This movie does not deserve an Academy Award, but it does deserve recognition for evolving into a worthy tale. 

Rating: 8.5/10 

The Hunger Games 

It shames me to admit that until I saw the trailer of the Hunger Games, I had never heard of the series or of Susan Collins. I love reading, so the fact that this type of magic went by unnoticed, will leave me appalled for some time. The post-apocalyptic film followed the book to perfection. Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth play Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark and Gayle Hawthorne to perfection. I am waiting anxiously for the rest of the series. 

Rating: 8.5/10 

Snow White and the Huntsman: 

When I saw this film was being released, I was excited and sceptical at the same time. Seeing Kristen Stewart in another role as Bella was like imagining Nina Dobrev playing someone other than Elena Gilbert… frightening and confusing. Kristen impressed me with her portrayal of Snow (the different facial expressions mostly) and convinced me of a future for her after Twilight. Chris Hemsworth played the Huntsman, surprising me with the excellence with which he played a more romantic part. He is the poplar standard for playing the ruggedly handsome. Charlize Theron (our home pride) gave the best performance in the film as the wicked queen. I am so proud that she is South-African. 

Rating: 7/10. 

Barnabas Collins: Dark Shadows 

For an actor of Johnny Depp’s calibre, I was rather disappointed with the quality of this movie. He still brought his magic touch to the screen, but not to an extent which I found mesmerising. Barnabas Collins seemed to share too many qualities with his Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

Rating: 5.5/10 

Men in Black 3: 

I saw this movie in the cinema THREE times (long story). It barely deserves to be seen in the cinema. I can’t honestly say anything about this movie; because I saw it so many times I am quite sick of it. But Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin deserve proper accolades when acting is mentioned, since they are wonderful actors. 

Rating: a biased 6.5/10

Any other suggestions?

N

12/12/12

If you have managed to take your sparkling eyes of the fact that it is DECEMBER, you will notice that today is a pretty special day. Today is 12/12/12 – the only time we will ever see a date like that again. Wow!

Here is a list of random things that make me happy. We could all use a little happy in our lives.

Modern family: by far the best show I have watched lately. 

Nail polish: Nothing feels better than looking down at your pretty nails.

Buying stuff: It doesn't need to be expensive, just getting something small has a major cheering up factor.

Taking a walk at the end of the day. I don’t even care about the exercise – it is a great way to clear your head.

Music

I have started drawing again. Talk about free therapy!

I am in a phase where I am planning everything. It makes me extremely happy, so I am not over analysis it too much.

My clean room. it is so fun to get home each day and walk into a clean room. I am trying really hard to maintain it!

What makes you happy?

Movies 2012 Part 1

The fact that 2012 is drawing to a close is unbelievable in itself. the year has had its ups and downs, and one definite up is the quality of the movies that were produced. I am will be posting a few articles around this topic, since one would be insufficient.

Today's genre is any type of Action Hero movie, or that falls under the genre of Action or Drama. I do not usually watch Action, but saw some good films this year. I have been getting into comic books being produced into films in the past few years, but it has really exploded this year (lucky me). It is surely due to the fact that the hype around vampires are slowly dying, and the market is needing new money makers.

Side note: Most of the movies on here were released in 2012, but I am also mentioning movies I watched on DVD for the first time.

Avengers:

My favourite movie of all time – this is a most honourable award, since I love watching movies. I was mind blown by the graphics, characters, events and execution. It rather deserved breaking nearly all movies records in history, and cemented my love for super heroes permanently.

Rating: 9.5/10

The Dark Knight Rises:

While finding the movie a tiny bit too long, I enjoyed seeing Christian Bale as Batman. This was the first movie of the franchise I watched, and afterwards saw the others as well. Tom Hardy was unrecognisable as Bane, and I think he has truly developed into a fantastic actor. The tragedy involving this film at Colorado, US, nearly overshadowed the hype of the film, but Christian Bale rose to the occasion and proved that he really was a superhero by visiting the victims in hospital. You have earned my eternal respect, Mr Bale.

Rating: 8/10

Safe house

Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds brought their acting to South-Africa for this movie, and I was duly impressed with the landmarks I recognised in the background. I am of the opinion that this is a strong storyline and was excellently executed. I am all for the rumours I hear about a second instalment.

Rating: 7/10

Thor and Captain America

Both films weren’t released in 2012, but deserve mentioning because they led up to the Avengers. I am not sure if I enjoyed Thor for the correct reasons (Chris Hemsworth and those shoulders) but it seemed like a pretty good movie. I wasn’t overly impressed with Captain America, but enjoyed it to a certain extent.

Thor: 7/10

Captain America: 6.5/10

Iron Man (one and two)

Robert Downey Jnr. is superb in everything he does, and he continues with his stellar reputation in these two instalments. I am sick with excitement for Iron Man 3 next year.

Both: 8.5/10

What are your thoughts on this?

N

The reason I couldn't sleep last night

Strawberry cheesecake from Mugg & Bean.

Was worth it.

N

happy december

I just can't believe that 2012 is in its last month.
Here is my list of things I love about December:

Summer time

December is full summer season here in South-Africa. We get to have Christmas under a sunny sky, and while I would love a white Christmas, I will always think of summer and warmth in December.

December was made just to have fun. Everyone winds down, reconnects and parties like crazy. I love being with everyone that I care about, and just having the best time ever.

Planning for the New Year:

Getting everything in order and thinking about what goals you want to achieve is part of the fun for me.

Reflecting on what has passed:

I think about everything I experienced this year, and no matter how sad I have been, I wouldn’t change a thing. Everything happened for a reason, and now I am a better person for it.

I get to spend time with all my family members. Nothing can ever beat this. I regularly want to throw someone with something in my household, but I love them so much. Spending time with them, respecting our age old traditions of sleeping downstairs Christmas night, eating delicious food and opening presents is definitely something I will pass on to my children.

Atmosphere:

Everyone is just so damn happy and festive. The shopping malls are lined with trees, lights and decorations. That feeling no one can describe perfectly. Everything is frantic leading up to Christmas, and then it stops, hushes and becomes so magical on Christmas day.

Food

This is the season where you can eat anything you like, without feeling guilty. I refuse to believe that Christmas food will make you gain weight. It is a lie, so don’t believe it!

Presents

I love presents. Giving, Receiving, shopping for them, wrapping them, and making cards, looking at them under the tree, opening them. I LOVE IT.

Finally, I love the fact that it is resting time. I get to sleep late, do anything I want, loaf, and suntan and drink cocktails. December is the best month there is, to my mind.

My Thoughts on Fifty Shades of Grey

I know an incredible amount of people who loved these books, so I will try to be as gentle as possible with my description. Now, if that sentence didn't alert you to my very obvious stance on it, let me make it clear: the books were terrible.

I wouldn't under any circumstances claim that I am a literary expert, but having read a lot of books, I think I have some sort of understanding what it takes to make a good novel. Firstly, it is incredibly important to use the correct language. There were so many repetitive sentences and phrases, that I would get nauseous after a few sentences.  Some opinions indicate that it was written in this way to indicate Anastasia’s youth, but frankly, I am more or less the same age as her, and I find those comments rather insulting. I will never think phrases like “Holy Fuck” and “Oh my”, more than once in a train of thought, no matter how attractive someone is.

Also, it would seem that Fifty Shades of Grey is amassing a fan base to rival Justin Bieber and One Direction. I have never understood these extreme types of fanaticism, but I do get that teenagers love to have idols. But these books were written for an age group much older, and it seems unacceptable that people are freaking out like this. No social network is safe from countless women who gushes about reading “Fifty Shades”. It is really okay to be interested in a book, but to focus your entire existence on it is more than a bit sad.

The books started out as fan tributes to Twilight. While not the most wonderful books, Twilight uses much better English, is appropriate to its age, and found a niche market to conquer (and turned Vampires into a billion dollar empire) Sorry, Fifty, but BDSM is not a niche market.

Lastly, it annoys me that the books create ridiculous expectations with women. I already know people who furiously believe that they will marry sport stars/celebrities, and here comes these books, claiming that a seemingly stupid girl, with no personality or ambition, can catch the world’s most successful bachelor? Get real, ladies. There isn't a man on this planet that is rich, handsome, obsessively jealous and protective, that will drop his roughish ways just to be with you. Rather find someone who is imperfect but has enough stability to make things work, ‘kay?

I hope you noticed that I didn't mention any of the crazy sex happening in these books. It doesn't bother me all that much, only that it is the main theme rather than the side dish. I would much rather have preferred if they had made a strong female character, a normal man and a relationship that wasn't toxic from the start.

But obviously I am in the minority with that opinion, since the trilogy was part of the best sellers of the past year…

Wonderful leave

I have been neglecting my blog this week, but I am now back! I imagined writing early this morning when I got to work, but alas, the workload chained me to my desk and away from any internet related activities. It is nearly 15:00 now, and taking a quick break to update.

Where have I been, you ask?

Well, I took leave for two days. Just for a bit of rest and to find strength to finish the year. It was so much fun. I can’t wait for the end of December – for so many reasons! I will be on leave again and visiting my best friend with my other best friend!

This weekend was rather hectic. We went to Doors Friday night for the Movember party. It was startling to see Jack Parow perform in a heavy metal club. I was rather entertained after the shock, and have to say that he certainly knows how to entertain.

Saturday I had a movie night with friends. We watched PS. I Love You and Snow White and the Huntsman. I love watching both movies over and over again.

Sunday I had the urge to clean my room – which I did very successfully. It was so wonderful to realise that I could go to bet late since I didn't need to go to work for a few days. I loafed, ate a lot of bad stuff, and did absolutely nothing. And I am not even feeling guilty about it.

This weekend was so rainy in Johannesburg. I love the sound of the rain on the roof and it helped me sleep much better. At this point I am ready to finish the year with a bang!

How was your weekend?