Do I Dazzle Thee? Yeth? Noth?

So, the post-SPM outing was awesome. Super duper awesome. 11 of us. We nearly took up the entire row.

So. Twilight. The movie.

On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being "watch if you're intent on going through a few brainwashing therapy sessions" and 10 being "SO AWESOME, WATCH IT EVERYDAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE", I rate it a 4.

SPOILERS, btw.

Because really, I'll be honest and say that I had a lot more faith in the movie than the book series (all faith in them flew out the window when I reached Bella's emo session in New Moon) so yeah ... Not that great. xD Before I continue, I remind everyone that this is my opinion. You can all have yours. IMDb, for example, has reviews ranging from the 1 to 10 I was talking about in the previous paragraph. :)

Anyway. Here's the score:

Plot: Actually, a remarkable lot better than the book, which made me want to die, with all the bombastic words. Listen, I take forever to get through Jane Austen. Anything like it, or trying to be like it? My system can't take it. xD So, 7/10.

Characters: Eh. What can I say? Bella's loads nicer here than in the book. The schoolboys are adorable, makes me want to run in there and high five all of them. Carlisle was just how I imagined him. And Charlie? Best damn character in the entire movie. And I found Jasper cute. I liked the whole "... the one who looks like he's in pain is Jasper. [pan to Jasper's semi-constipated face]" Now, the ... person everyone has been waiting for. Bring out Mr. Eddy Currents please!
Oh wait, that's Physics. My bad. SPM still leaving traces. So yeah. Edward is ... Edward. The look of constant constipation on his face was amusing though. And when he sucked on Bella's arm ... reminded me of Scout when he's trying to gnaw my toes off in one of his hyper kitten moods. xD 5/10.

Soundtrack: AWESOMESAUCE. Ridiculously lovely. Loved Edward's lullaby. Need to download arisiiinnggg ... 9/10

Story Flow: Blegh. Felt like dying whenever Bella and Edward started getting romantic. So slow. I actually had time to have a full conversation with Tarsha beside me during one of their intense stare into each other's eyes fests. 4/10.

Special Effects: Not bad. Pretty obvious how they did it, but still cool. Loved the climax scene with the ballet studio. I was flinching in pain with every kick, crunch of bone and howl of pain. Fuuun. But the sparkly bit? Quite ... strange. In my imagination, every time Edward sparkled in the book, all I saw was a great, shining white blob emitting disco lights. So you understand how seeing it for real kinda confused my brain. D: But he looked like he was dipped in glitter. 5/10.

Lines: Some funny, some neutral, some ridiculously cheesy. But I really liked the whole
Bella: I want answers.
Edward: Yes. No. To get to the other side.
Please, other people who were with me ... why was I the only one laughing? That was the best line in the entire film. I loved it. I was giddy with glee. xD

So, there you go. There were more nice parts to balance out the boring ones though. So that was alright. And the setting was gorgeous. Bloody cold-looking, but gorgeous.

That's it for now. Going to Bandung tomorrow. See ya'll in half a week. :)

Too baaaad.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATUK!

and
HAPPY SWEET 16th SOFEYA!

Firstly, regarding the WB decision in moving the HBP movie to July next year: WTFish, people. WTFish. You're all a bunch of greedy no-good wingdings. If the movie's good, even if you release it on the coldest winter night, it'll top the box office. So what if the writer's strike killed a few things? All the other movies and tv shows pulled through OK. Heck, 2008 is a pretty good movie year in my opinion. I can sense your fear! I bet you guys think the film sucks. Well too bad. >:(

Secondly, hey guys, SA now gives you your homework online! Yippie-kay-yay. *waves white flag miserably*

Oh, I borrowed Breaking Dawn from Sab. It was a very spur-of-the-moment thing; she happened to have the book, but Tarsha was absent, so couln't pass to her. So I took it instead. Haven't read it yet. I just don't have the mood. :(

By the way, I finished reading Nightrise a few days ago. SPOILERS ahead. I thought it was really good. :) My favourite of the series so far. The story starts off a few weeks before the ending of the second book, with Scott and Jamie Tyler instead of the protagonist of the first two books, Matt Freeman. They both have powers; they can read minds, and they've got the whole Jedi-mindtrick deal going on. xD

Anyway, Scott gets kidnapped by the Nightrise Corporation, a company that supports the return of the Old Ones (basically, the evil bad guys). Jamie, lost and confused, ends up getting help from Alice McGuire, a woman who's searching for her son Danny, who was also kidnapped by the company. Horowitz's writing is simple, but effective; I can see everything clearly in my mind. Very good stuff. And the plot is finally starting to come together, giving us a clear picture of just what exactly is happening in this series.

So far, Jamie is my favourite of the Five; Matt is too much of a classic hero for me, and Pedro comes in second. We don't see too much of Scott from the book, but he comes off as the troubled one of the group, if you ask me. The fifth one, the girl, is Scarlett ... but I'm not sure whether I'll like her yet, because we've only met her 'past self'. And the indication is that she might turn out to be the one who does an anti-hero ... but I won't know till the next book, coming out in October.

Prince, whoops, King Caspian.

If you're lucky, you get to set your eyes on a sequel that doesn't suck. But it's rare to find a sequel that doesn't only 'not suck', but rocks like an avalanche.

Yeah, well I'll be the geek and say that I'm talking about Prince Caspian. Spoiler alert, peeps!

Storyline was awesome. Adapting one of the world's best classics is definitely a challenge, but they've really done it this time around. Of course, some things were twisted, others removed and some new stuff was thrown in, but they complimented this film perfectly. It's got it's fair share of action, humour and even a dash of romance.

Visual effects? Amazing. I remember years ago, when I reviewed the first movie, I complained that I could see a black outline around the Pevensies when they were standing against the sky. None of that this time around, though. I particularly liked the battle scenes, and the one with the griffins swooping around the Telmarines' castle while carrying the kings and queens.

And the soundtrack? Very awesome. I'm downloading as soon as I find the time. xD

Now, the part we've all (or just me) have been waiting for; character development. This is my favourite part of every film, book or cartoon. Prince Caspian was alright - classic hero, somewhat confused but manages to pull things off very well. Not the fanciest of characters, but likable enough. Added to the fact that he's not bad on the eyes.

They changed a lot of Peter's character for this movie, and while many people seem to dislike it (I visited IMDb before hopping over here) I think it was a good take on him; very realistic, and I could connect with him, compared to LionWitchWardrobe!Peter. He had a lot of room to grow, and I think it ended very well for him.

Susan, ah, Susan. Firstly, she's got amazing eyes. Like, mesmerising. You could get sucked into those eyes. xD I like her here better than the first movie as well. Less bossy and more of a heroine.

And since that I am going in order and it would be, urm, wrong to do ... OK, whatever, I don't want to explain myself. xD Edmund now. He. Rocks. Can I say that again? He. Rocks. My purple-yellow striped socks. Doesn't matter that he doesn't have much screen-time. The scene with the white witch? Pure awesome. Caspian and Peter were all like: "D: Purdy lady wants blood!" And Edmund's all: "*stab* *pause* *glares at older boys* Yeah, you had it sorted. *exits stage right*" Oh, Edmund. You deserve more screen-time.

As for Lucy ... well, she's pretty much the same, now I think about it. There's not much development for her. She's still the youngest and adorable one. She's still misunderstood by the others (Peter and Susan in particular) and she still makes friends with Narnian creatures.

So, yes. I've forgotten what I wanted to say. But I can't put any other feelings in words ... but anybody who talks to me face-to-face will be recieving a huge load of jabbering, following the style of the dialogue I typed up there about the White Witch thingy. xD

What do these three have in common?

I've been finishing a lot of stuff this week, so I can focus on studying for mid-term next week. So what have I been doing online for so long, eh?

One, I've been watching Blood+. Which is an anime (ooh, shock, horror! Sara, since when did you watch anime?!). Like I said before, it's the trade-off Tarsha and I did. She's watching Avatar. Anyhoo, it is definitely good stuff. How can I describe it? It's a complicated story, and definitely not for the faint-hearted. The animation is good and the drawings aren't as bug-eyed as most animes, so that's what made it for me. Basically, it's about some vampire-like beings and bat-like demons ... lots of blood, and filled with enough plot-twists to kill your intestines with. It's got your classic main character, Saya, who just wants to be normal, but is willing to sacrifice herself for the good of mankind, and the generic evil twin, Diva ... whom you'll hate up until the end, where you realise that she's the product of neglection. That, and the sidekicks - especially Hagi and Kai - really grow on you by the end of the series. If you've got some free time and a sudden need for watching a serious drama with horror movie-worthy blood splatter, search for the english dubs on YouTube.

And Ghost! Ohmygosh. This my dears, is beautiful, living, breathing (*cough* pardon the contradiction) proof that Malaysians can produce rocking good tv shows. The story is about one Zack Imran (Nazrudin Rahman), a well-known celebrity who dies - and comes back as a ghost. The thing is, he has no idea who killed him. The world believes that he was killed in a horrific car crash, but he has the strange feeling that that's not true. So what's a spirit to do? Only one person, a gossip columnist for PANAS magazine, Eza Azmi (Cheryl Samad) can see him. And so begins this supernatural/mystery/thriller ... where things are not as they seem, and everyone is somehow strangely connected to Zack's death. The first season just finished airing, but you can watch it on 8tv's website. Apparently there's a second one ... but I'm honestly very unsure how they're going to continue the story. Anyhoo, take a look.

Ah, Eclipse. This series has become a pain in the neck for me ... mostly because Bella can't get Edward to put a pain in her neck. xD But I have to say, I prefer this book to Twilight and New Moon ... werewolf-vampire interactions are funny, especially if they include Jacob and Edward. Edward's a lot less hateable here, while Jacob climbs up my disappointed list. Bella somehow becomes really annoying and selfish. Everyone else ... Jasper and Rosalie in particular are now VIC ... Very Interesting Characters. Jasper especially, because he's awesome like that. And, this is what made this book the most exciting to me: we get to see some vampires get ripped to pieces. Oooh. Now that's more like it. And the ending redeemed Jacob in my eyes, just a notch ... it made me a little sad. But no matter how much I whine and complain about this series, no matter how many times I roll my eyes at it - I desperately want Edward and Bella to live happily ever after. Jacob too, but we can't have everything in the world, so ... now I can't wait for Breaking Dawn. Grarr. Can my willpower hold long enough for me to wait to read it till after SPM?

Epic awesomeness anyone?

So, I've just finished my week-long Avatar marathon. Well, it ain't a marathon really, more like watch-whenever-I-have-time-over-the-course-of-a-week. But yes! I've watched it all!

Now all I have to do is wait for the next episode to air. It's late, because of ... well, the writers 'strike. But the writers' strike's over! Sooo, new episode!

Soon.

Oh yeah, and a new Gossip Girl episode too.

Butbutbut. I think I've just recruited myself into the fandom. Avatar is FUN. I've been looking for a fantasy book with awesome characters and wicked plot twists, and I've found it in TV SHOW FORM. Which is even more fun, because I get to WATCH all the awesome-ness. Which in turn makes me so happy, I could do a happy dance right now.

Anyhow, for anyone who's really in the dark right now and don't subscribe to Nickelodeon, Avatar's a cartoon show. Which is somewhat anime-ish? But whatever, the art is pretty and nobody runs around with eyes too big for their bodies. It's about this alternate dimension where the world is split into four kingdoms, air, water, earth and fire. The avatar is a person who controls all four elements, and is responsible for keeping the balance in the world.

But the latest avatar, Aang, is just a little kid. He's scared out of his mind, so he puts himself into a hundred year-long hibernation - waking up only to find that the world is at war. So he sets off to learn to control the elements so that he can defeat the evil Fire Lord Ozai and save the world, etc. with his gang of friends (at the beginning, his pet bison Abba, water-bender Katara, her brother Sokka and a flying lemur, Momo).

Only problem is, everyone's out to get him. Like, for real. The fire nation is out looking for him to hold him prisoner, angry citizens blame him for disappearing for a hundred years and a shamed fire nation prince, Zuko is hunting him down to 'restore his honour'. Not only that, but he has to learn to control all four elements by summertime ... which is less than a year away.

In other words, pretty heavy stuff.

It's got everything I could ever ask for! Powerful elements, classic hero, fun best friends, cute animals, gut-clenching plot, hilarious-to-laugh-at anti-hero ... GAH, I'm so happy. ;;_;;

But just for the record, I have no ships as of yet. Aang and Katara is cute, but I find it a little ... weird (and I find Katara annoying), Zuko and Katara is all kinds of wicked cool, but he's an awful boyrfriend and she's still annoying -shrugs- ... but heyyyy. Sokka and Suki are definitely going to happen, and they're fun to watch. Whee, I think I've found it.

And I know this is silly, because everyone's drowning in work and can't do much online, but if you get the chance, ---> watch it <---. Seriously. I need someone to talk to about it. :]

Sara-who-can't-wait-for-the-next-episode

Twilight

I'll say one thing about this book, it's got an incredibly shiny cover. The photo above is after I wrapped it up though, so I'm afraid you won't be able to experience its genuine and, eh, natural shine.

Spoilers are to be expected. Proceed with absolute caution.

So here I am, finished with the book that everyone's been so crazy about. And, well ... this was inevitable, but ... I'm a little disappointed. I expected a little more 'oomph', if you get me. I was thinking along the lines of all those other average fantasy novels - normal human introduced to other-worldly conditions, and the adventure that ensues.

I forgot a little that this is a love story.

The story is narrated by Bella Swan (when I first read her name, I kept confusing her with Elizabeth Swann ... heehee.), a seventeen year-old who has decided to live with he chief officer father in the wet and overcast Forks, Washington. She doesn't really want to be there, but it's better than being uprooted every time her mother's new husband, Phil, finds a new job.

The high school in Forks only has a population of 300 students - a very small number to her. Everyone pretty much knows everybody, which she expects will make her an outsider. But there's a family going to that very school who are even more out of place than she is - five of them, pale-skinned and breathtakingly beautiful. And this is where the story really starts.

Bella shares a class with Edward Cullen, the, ahem, youngest of the Cullen boys (Biology class, har har.). Their first time sitting next to each other is pretty much spoiled by Edward's incredibly angry features.

The dude was ... like really pissed off at something, that's for sure. xD

Well, months pass and that slight hiccup at their first meeting was explained later on (Bella's blood is apparently Edward's brand of heroin)... in a very long-winded info-dump, courtesy of Edward himself. I didn't like that scene. Too ... weird and dream-like, and they were both talking in weird bombastic English that made my head spin.

I just realised that I'm like, writing an essay here. Sorry everyone. xD I'll stop with the condensed book recreation. So, read the book yourself for the, uh, juicy details.

Now, first things first. Let's bring Edward up here. I'll say that I can understand the hype around this guy ... but I don't really get the attraction so many girls have to him. Could be the choice of words, the way we're always reminded that he looks like a real-life Guess advert and how he's always compared to statues.

I'm sorry, I don't find statues very attractive. It's weird. ^^;

I understand Bella with the whole klutzy thing she's got going on ... but other than that, I can't really feel the chemistry between the two. Despite the fact that they're both so ... clingy to each other.

The story itself starts off promising, but the climax came and went, and I felt strangely empty. I felt as if the climax was only there as a necessity. The characters are cut off from the actual storyline. Like passers-by in the wrong place.

And the ending? Fell a little flat on me, but was OK. The whole argument with Bella wanting to be a vampire and Edward flat-out refusing gets tedious after a while.

But if you're looking for some good epic romance complete with damsel-in-distress and fearless model-lookalike hero, Twilight's definitely for you.

I'm debating whether or not to read the second book ... because despite everything, my curiousity's been poked at, and I really want to know what happens to the both of them in the end. :)

Sara-who-now-needs-to-draw-to-get-the-book-out-of-her-system

Celebrations, then a book.

Firstly, Selamat Hari Raya to everyone who celebrate it. :) A little late on the wishing, but better late than never, right?

Secondly, my computer has been fixed. To which I say 'yes, it wasn't working before this' and 'YESSSSSS SCOOOOORRREEE.'

Ahem.

Now all I have to do is install all my old stuff, like Limewire, CreativeMedia, PSP and so on. I'd love to install Sims2, but, well, my computer seems to hate it. Gah.

I finished reading Mad Dogs a couple of nights ago - spoilers coming up, so if you're fussy, don't read anymore. It's very ... packed. xD James gets into the usual amount of trouble (he wasn't hospitalized this time around though) and we get some more scary gut-clenching violence (slashed apart by machetes, anyone?). Oh, and James loses his virginity. And not to his girlfriend. Some girl came unto him during the mission. Poor guy was sorta taken by surprise. At the end of the book, he tells Dana sorry, that he accidentally kinda had sex with someone.

And Dana was all, what, were you walking down the street minding your own business, and somehow tripped over some naked girl?

It was a hoot, I tell you. Oh, and I guess I'm being kind of vague here ... the book is the eight in the CHERUB series, which is basically about James Adams, who is a teen agent working under a child version of the secret services. The organisation takes in orphaned children and trains them to be secret agents. Very cool stuff. Not for younger readers, because of: violence, profanity and sexual themes.

And get this. Our beloved hero is only fifteen. His younger sister, who is also a main character? She's twelve. Oi vey.

Sara-who-has-now-moved-on-to-another-book

A tiny dose of Disney animation.

Which, I might add, I have sorely missed over the last few years. I watched Enchanted on Tuesday with Nad, and well, I feel that I owe it a review (or at least something vaguely resembling one). So, spoilers ahead, for anyone who hasn't watched it yet.

Enchanted's something that you shouldn't bring logic to. Or your hatred of fluffy baby animals. Or any hatred for Disney-theatrics for that matter. Because the movie is entirely made up of pure, fluffy, feel-good FUN. The cartoon bit at the beginning had me in stitches, what with Giselle's singing and Prince Edward's marriage proposal.

My favourite part is definitely the scene in the park, with everyone singing and dancing the same time Prince Edward was running around looking for Giselle. ^^ Ooh, and the chipmunk, Pip - I expected him to be annoying, but he was the funniest thing about the entire movie!

The ending was definitely an ending. Everything was tied up neatly with a bright red bow. Giselle ends up with Robert (kinda expected really) and Prince Edward brings Nancy back into fairy-tale cartoon land (they're the cutest couple. xD).

Spoilers end here. I realised that I don't have much to review. ^^;

In other life-stuff, I bought The Runner by Cynthia Voigt from MPH. I've been wanting it for a while, but did you know that it costs RM32 in Borders ... and only RM19 in MPH? Scandalous.

Yeay-I-got-a-new-book-Sara