Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Jumping straight back into action, Mockingjay Part 1 starts where Catching Fire picks off. As Katniss struggles to come top terms with the loss of her comrades especially Peeta, District 13 begins to prepare together the equipment to take on the capital. A war is brewing right on the horizon, and so much is at stake.
I was never really a fan of the final book in The Hunger Games series, mostly because of it's sour end. I expected to love the first part of Mockingjay, and sourly dislike the latter. But I'm surprised to say Mockingjay Part 1 is my least favourite film in the series. The story itself sets up for epic finale I'm sure, but that feels like this movie's main and sole purpose. It was truly amazing seeing the political workings of a war, but everything else falls short. The engaging elements from the book were missing from this military based adaptation, and I really don't understand why, since it had enough time to divulge and explore. It's clear that Katniss takes complete front and centre in this film - with very little room for other players to contend. All in all, I'm pretty disappointed with the outcome of this movie, and I can already tell that Part 2 will definitely be better than this.
Time for Spoilers ....
Aged 24, Matt Haig found himself feeling lost and hopeless, seeing no way he could go on living. Reason To Stay Alive is an account of that journey and how he overcome his struggle from the dark depths of his illness.
I remember stumbling across this book by accident through twitter. I had heard there would be a book signing with Matt Haig - and being an avid book signing attender I thought I'd go. Having the privilege of hearing Matt speak about his novel was pretty much what sold this book to me, and I'm so glad it did. Reasons to Stay Alive is an important non-fictional novel, that gives a preview into one individual's experience of depression and anxiety. To those who've suffered, it provides solace. To those who haven't experienced those troubles, it gives a glimpse into the hardships and struggles others face on a daily bases. I found this book re-enacts that heavy feeling of a weight you can not explain, and yet tells these stories with a hopeful twist for the future. Well worth reading, and definitely one of the must read novels for everybody this year!
Love Rosie is an enjoyable read, that definitely has some hilarious moments that will have you laughing so hard! But what struck me the most about this story is it tells the realistic struggle of adulthood. Not many romantic novels I've seen have done that pretty accurately. It's honest and authentic - well worth reading whatever age you may be. My only main flaw with this book was it dragged out its love story unnecessarily, draining out its quirky nature and narrative till it's very end.
Now, time for spoilers. Back away from the computer if you have not read this yet. Spoilers be waiting ...
After the slightly disappointing squeal, I had high hopes for The Death Cure. Probably due to the fact that The Scorch Trials continued to build up this story to it's climax. The first half of the book blew my mind. I was amazed at where this novel was going and excited. But somewhere along the way, everything seemed to become chaotic. I felt frustrated towards James Dashner - who although creates intriguing plot lines - focuses way too much on shock value. That is why I believe this novel and The Scorch Trials fall short of what they should be. Though entertaining and thrilling, I knew right of the bat that this concept - an awesome premise - was not properly executed. None-the-less, so worth the read.
Note: Spoilers ahead. Avoid if you intend on reading The Death Cure. You've been warned.
Red Band Society is a story about the lives of a group of teenagers living in the paediatric ward at Ocean View Park, struggling with their own issues. Together they form the 'Red Band Society' to stick together through the trouble life throws at them.
When I first heard about this show, I remember feeling reluctant to watch it at all. I felt torn about the way media is - in a way - exploiting stories of children with terminal illness, and almost turning them into a trend of somesort. Since The Fault In Our Stars became so successful, why not capitalise on that by creating something similar. That idea pretty much put me off. But I decided to give it a try, and I'm so glad I did.
Red Band Society is a show with so much heart and emotion. It's like My Sister's Keeper meets One Tree Hill. Each character has their own journey and struggling to face, with family and relationship drama added to the mix. The way this show handles addressing cancer and other diseases is powerful. Although it falls short on truly representing characters and storylines at times - which I'll get into later - this show does a good job of representing the teenagers time at the hospital, and bringing attention the social impact illness can have on them.
Now - Time for spoilers!
After the tragedy we faced in season 2A, The 100 came back biting stronger than ever. This season was definitely much more darker and intense than the previous two, knocking them straight out the park. It's crazy how much this show continues to evolve. Season One was child's play compared to all this drama. There were so many moments that really stood out this season on The 100. Here are a favourite few.
Note: This post contains spoilers, so if you are not currently up-to-date with The 100 - come back later and check it out.
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