Catching Fire

Title: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Genre: Fantasy/Adventure/Sci-Fi

Director: Francis Lawrence

Studio: Lionsgate

Run Time: 146 minutes

Cert: 12A (UK)

Release Date: November 21/22

(Depending on where you were)

My Rating: 5/5

After winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen returns home to District 12 along with fellow victor Peeta Mellark. Shortly after returning home, they must embark on a "Victory Tour" of the districts to celebrate their win, leaving behind their close friends and family again. But little do they know they will have to go back into the arena with the past winners. On the day of the Victory Tour, President Snow threatens Katniss' best friend and pretend cousin, Gale Hawthorne, outraged after she and Peeta broke the rules of the 74th Hunger Games that allowed them both to win. During the tour, Katniss senses that a rebellion is brewing in the districts, but the Capitol is still firmly in control as Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games, known as a Quarter Quell, an event taking place every 25 years – a competition that could change Panem forever.

In this Hunger Games, the tributes will be reaped from the existing pool of victors, making all the other Games look like child's play. As Peeta and Katniss end up in the arena again (as the only victors of District 12 with the exception of Haymitch), this time surrounded by experienced and vicious victors, President Snow is determined to eliminate them and destroy the rays of hope and the sparks of rebellions brewing up in the Districts. Now Katniss and Peeta must do whatever it takes to defeat their foes and come out on top once again and ignite the flames of rebellion in Panem.

I can't even begin to put in words how excited I was to see this movie. Sure you could probably see that from all the previous hunger games-related posts that led up to the eventual premiere! Anyway, I just want to start, straight out, by saying that I had unbelievably high hopes for this movie, and it met almost if not all of them!

Before going to the midnight screening, I read a summary, very detailed summary, of the book and surprisingly, the beginning was one of the most memorable parts for me, and seeing that played out on the big screen was near perfection! I'm not talking about when Gale and Katniss harass the poor turkeys, no, but when Katniss goes back to the Victors' village and Haymitch is just flat out of it at his kitchen table. It stuck in my head because, for some strange reason, it's one of the few scenes I felt I could imagine with ease, and the scene in the actual film was identical to the one in my head! It was just a great way to start a film, but it's probably also a reason some fans, who hadn't read the trilogy, didn't pay much attention to the beginning.

Personally, the events of the movie flew by and I had to go see the film a second time before I could form any comprehensible thoughts haha!

Anyway, following was the series of political happenings, like Snow's unexpected visit, the Victor tour, which I was surprised at how well it came out, the clips of uprisings in the Districts and then finally, the Quarter Quell announcement that left even the mighty Haymitch speechless!

I loved how you really got to see

 into the characters of Plutarch

and Snow with their little deep

meaningful chats! Haha

It really added depth to the characters, well more so Plutarch I think, and it would have made for an even bigger surprise, for those who haven't read the book, at the end of the movie.

Ah the grand celebratory party at the Capitol, for Effie's two angels..

Elizabeth Banks is absolutely brilliant with her role, in this scene especially. She stays so true to the character, that when Effie says something funny and the whole cinema starts to chuckle, you really believe it's her speaking and not just an actress saying her lines. Know what I mean?

I thought she absolutely captivated the audiences be it with her snappy demands, her mini panic attacks, or her genuine teary moments when she realises she has to say goodbye to Katniss and Peeta.

Truly plausible!

Speaking of great character performances, can we just realise and appreciate, for a moment, both Cinna and Lenny Kravitz! They're so alike it's uncanny! It's like Cinna is Lenny's honest reflection.

 They're both so unbelievably creative and intriguing, that you can't help but like them! 

I mean, come on, look at Katniss' wedding dress-turned-mockingjay getup, for pete's sake! I know it obviously not real and she's not really on fire and blah blah blah, but the ideas Cinna has are so unique, every new creation a work of art. I won't go into too much depth as to why I love his character, but I will say that, even though I saw it coming from the beginning of the movie, Cinna's being beaten up was pretty sad.

Everything from the tribute parade, the training, and actual games that is, is still a haze of pure euphoria for me, because it was just my absolute favourite part of, not just Catching Fire, but the whole trilogy! The directing from the tribute parade, and cinematography, were no less than strokes of genius. Everything was so much more vivid, much clearer and brighter. Definitely an improvement from the last movie!

Now here's where I rave about Jennifer Lawrence. Josh, Sam and Jenna also of course! But mainly Jennifer! The fact that the happenings in these games are obviously not real, makes the actor or actress' job even more difficult, because they have less to work with. But Jennifer Lawrence made it all look far too easy, she was that good.

Take the poisonous fog for example. I heard in a Francis Lawrence interview that he actually described to Jen and the others, as they acted out the scenes, where certain things were and the reaction needed from them, so on and so forth. But when I heard that, I was kinda surprised, because when you're watching the movie, and Katniss goes to touch the fog, it's so convincing that you don't really think to question how Jennifer acted that out behind the scenes you know?

The same for when the jabberjays were attacking Katniss and Finnick. The way they made it look, it was almost as if they used real birds and actually had to run and duck away from them like they did in the movie! Also noteworthy, might I quickly add, was Jena Malone as Johanna. She was badass to the core and freaking amazing to watch!

Across the board this movie scored full marks with me. It stayed true to the book, was well acted out and visually, was absolutely stunning! The way Francis handled the quick-paced ending, yet still made sure to keep the audience in the know, was excellent, and I'd say everyone could enjoy this movie. Young, old, fans and non-fans of the books, everyone.

I proudly award this brilliant film with a 5 out of a possible 5. Though there were one or two moments in the film that I thought were a bit unnecessary, like the one too many of these..

But I didn't think it was reason enough to dock any points off the film. Personally the film of the year. It'll definitely reel in some big bucks in the box office, that's for sure! Haha

Grey's Anatomy

Title: Somebody that I used to know

Episode: 10

Release Date: November 21, 2013

Network: ABC (American Broadcasting Company)

Genre: Medical Drama

Writer: Debora Cahn

My Rating: 4.3/5

Ben worries that a casual conversation with Derek could potentially cause issues for Bailey, Cristina turns to Shane as tension grows with Meredith, and April's upcoming wedding makes for an uncomfortable situation between Jackson and Stephanie. Meanwhile, Meredith plans a Thanksgiving at her house.

                                                                                   - Wetpaint Review

Let me just start by saying Grey's Anatomy is one of my favourite shows, like ever, so excuse me if I get a bit carried away! Haha

Alright, though I liked last week's episode, I'm glad they're back to the hospital! The main concern in this episode, for me anyway, is how bad Bailey's OCD has gotten.

Last week's ending kind of set us up for it, and this week it's obvious the extent to which it has reached. The episode even opens with Bailey wringing her fingers, I don't know what to call it, and at this point I think I speak for all of us when I say we feel bad for her. She clearly isn't the type of person who copes well with personal loss, especially when it's her fault, so that incident in the last season with the Staph infection really got to her.
Poor innocent Ben is only trying to help her, and accidentally tells Derek about what he expects to be OCD, and Derek, being a member of the Hospital board, has to report it to Owen, who then has to take action. Let's just hope she's back to the normal old quick-witted, sassy Bailey we all know and love!

And.. onto the next couple!

Ah these two lovebirds! Jo and Alex have definitely had their fair share of the classic Grey's Anatomy tension, so I was happy with their storyline this week. It was positive and chilled FOR ONCE! Haha

As for 'Calzona', Callie and Arizona, things aren't going so well, despite how well Callie is taking everything. So in the last episode they decided to try rekindling their relationship, because nobody, not even them, knew where the pair stood. And I guess because Arizona actually feels bad for what she's done, and as a result of an OR slight confrontation, she tells Callie that she slept with Leah while they were on a break.

Even though Callie takes it well and says she needs the night to come to terms with it, Arizona still insists that she wants to sleep in the bed and that she's really trying and Callie should stop acting the victim and all that crap! I actually cannot believe how incredibly selfish that woman is! I'm definitely on Callie's side!

And.. onto the next couple!

Well this one isn't exactly a couple, but we're back to Richard's storyline. After his past reluctance to walk and continue with rehab, his stubbornness in this episode is both admirable and infuriating! When he wants something, he wants it immediately, which can result in a broken rib as we see in this episode.

I guess I understand why he wants to be able to jog on the treadmill as soon as possible and why he's so extremely impatient with his recovery. I mean, he's Chief Webber! Well not really, not anymore, but you get me right? Haha! He's been bed-ridden for far too long now, and if it were me in his place, watching what you love most being done around you, yet not being able to partake, I would go mad! He's strong though, no doubt he'll come out of this strong!

And.. onto the next couple!

Here we go, the twisted sisters! Is it just me, or is this rift between the two an absolute killer?! I hate it so much! They're both my favourite characters, both for different reasons, so to see them ignore each other and constantly bicker over who's turn it is to have the 3D printer, it heart-breaking!

I was on Cristina's side with the last episode, but now I'm taking Meredith's, simply for the reason that she gave Cristina a chance, she let the going behind her back slide, and yet Cristina wants to do it AGAIN? No, even I've had enough. Don't get me wrong, I love Yang, and I agree that she is indeed the best doctor in that hospital, but she's not the only one that needs it. Meredith let her have time with the printer, it didn't work, not she should go with the alternate route, which is the graph, but no, that's not good enough, even if it's safer.

And was I the only one who was pissed off at Shane's sudden burst at Meredith?? He had no say whatsoever, and decides that he should stick up for Cristina by roaring at Meredith, and all for what, to get into Yang's pants?? No, just no! I was just so annoyed at him, AND at Cristina after for kissing him! They just seem wrong to me!

There were other minor storylines, like how April's inviting Stephanie to her wedding instead of Jackson has kinda caused a rift between them, and how Owen is getting on great with his new girlfriend, but they're not too important.

Overall I give this episode a 4.3 out of 5 because I loved it, but the episode could have done without some parts!

By the way guys, I did see and love Catching Fire! A review will be up soon!

I Physically Cannot Wait

After winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen returns home to District 12 along with fellow victor Peeta Mellark. Shortly after returning home, they must embark on a "Victory Tour" of the districts to celebrate their win, leaving behind their close friends and family again. But little do they know they will have to go back into the arena with the past winners. On the day of the Victory Tour, President Snow threatens Katniss' best friend and pretend cousin, Gale Hawthorne, outraged after she and Peeta broke the rules of the 74th Hunger Games that allowed them both to win. During the tour, Katniss senses that a rebellion is brewing in the districts, but the Capitol is still firmly in control as Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games, known as a Quarter Quell, an event taking place every 25 years – a competition that could change Panem forever.

In this Hunger Games, the tributes will be reaped from the existing pool of victors, making all the other Games look like child's play. As Peeta and Katniss end up in the arena again (as the only victors of District 12 with the exception of Haymitch), this time surrounded by experienced and vicious victors, President Snow is determined to eliminate them and destroy the rays of hope and the sparks of rebellions brewing up in the Districts. Now Katniss and Peeta must do whatever it takes to defeat their foes and come out on top once again and ignite the flames of rebellion in Panem.

I'm sorry, really, I just couldn't help myself! It's pretty obvious by now, how much I love the Hunger Games, and for those of you reading this who don't, though I can't imagine there are many, you'll just have to stick it through my Hunger Games-related posts!

Okay, so I think I mentioned already that I'm going to the midnight screening of Catching Fire, which is part of a double bill, with the first movie at half nine. Two days to go, and I just seem to be losing the run of myself! For example, instead of doing homework for the past hour or two, I, instead, chose to begin my three day-long obsession until the film comes out midnight 20th.

So, I was watching Jimmy Fallon videos on Youtube right, part of my daily youtube routine, and Jenna Malone, the actress playing Johanna, was on the show. I guess because she was promoting the movie, they showed this clip and I just, almost died..

(skip to 2:50 for clip)

It's so short but it's new and to reiterate, I just, almost died! Made me even more excited! I think it's only fair that, since I'm presently mentally breaking down with the excitement, that I should help kickstart all your obsessions too right? Haha
Well try this on for size..

Those promotional posters just get me all the time! But does it cut it for you? No huh? What about this?

If you don't fangender(?) over that then I'm afraid I don't consider you a true fan man! The more mature cast, I don't know, it kinda makes the whole movie even more interesting!
And finally, you might have already seen this, but before today I hadn't, so here's the final trailer for Catching Fire. Try not to soil yourself in any way..

To a lot of you I might seem to be over-exaggerating, but believe me when I say I feel as if I physically cannot wait for this movie! It looks spectacular!

The Legend of Korra

Title: Light in the Dark

Episode: 14, the season 2 finale.

Release date: November 16 2013

Network: Nickelodeon

Genre: Fantasy/Animation

Writer: Michael Dante DiMartino

Unalaq has finally merged with Vaatu and is terrorising Republic City in the form of a giant spiritual monster. Without Raava or any prior Avatar connections, Korra must meditate and fine the cosmic energy of the universe withing herself in order to defeat Vaatu.
- Wikia

Okay can we just take a second to compose ourselves after such an AMAZING season finale! I really do commend these writers. They're always thinking of ways to make this series unique, yet link it to the prequel series (The Legend of Aang) and the modern world, and they they do it without fail!

I'm gonna take it that if you're reading this, you've already seen the past episodes, but just incase you haven't, or you're relatively new to the series, I'll try keep the spoilers to a minimum!

By this point, the start of episode 14, we're feeling completely devastated for Korra. Watching Raava being torn out of her and destroyed right in front of you could not have been very easy, and all by the person you once called your Uncle. Then when she's found by Tenzin and brought to the Tree of Time, things start to pick up, and really REALLY quickly!

What I loved about this season was it's quick pace. You could say it was choppy at times, but the story's progression was fast enough to keep the audience entertained at all times, yet not so fast as to lose them altogether, and that was really highlighted in the finale.
With all going on, you'd think concentrating would be the most difficult thing, and for a short time it is for Korra, but out of nowhere she's back in that place where Aang was in the last series, you know that space bridge place thing, with a giant-sized version of themselves at the end? Well anyway she achieves spiritual perfection and this happens..

I know.. freaking awesome right?! She projects this blue spirit version of herself, which just grows and grows until it's the size of the Unalaq-turned-Vaatu and she teleports, using the gate, to where he's terrorising the city. This epic battle goes down, you know Avatar style, the good classic good and evil, and it actually seems like Korra might not triumph, but Jinora comes out of nowhere, like a spirit herself, and helps Korra in drawing Raava out of Vaatu, since "one cannot survive without the other" and all that.

It all happens so fast, that you actually almost have to catch your breath with all the action.
Korra is successful in getting Raava back, killing Unalaq in the process, and goes back to the spirit world to fuse with her once again. Though I did have moments of hesitation, I obviously knew Korra would win, you know.. Haha! I'm usually bored with the good always winning, but when they win in such an epic way, I can't help but applaud, it was just brilliant!

Korra becomes the avatar again, but big twist! When her connection with the previous avatars was severed, that was permanent, so basically she's starting the cycle again, which kinda sucks, but it happens! Korra decides not to close the gate between the two worlds, allowing for spirits and human to live together, which will be a big change in the next season, and the episode ends on a great note!

The episode revolved around Korra for the most part, understandably, but there are some parts where other characters deal with their problems. My favourite, definitely Bolin's announcing that he still loves Eska, in what seems to be a ploy to get her to free him, but might have actually been real! It was so entertaining, because that pair has been the biggest laugh for me in this season, and not necessarily in a bad way!

It was so unexpected and kinda nice, in a creep way, I just had to burst out with fits of uncontrollable laughter. I will definitely miss those two and their inevitable love *melodramatic sigh*.

Overall, the finale of season two get a four out of five, not only for it's enthralling story, but the interesting mix of good dialogue, fantastically drawn settings and noteworthy character building.

 

The Hunger Games

Title: The Hunger Games 

Genre: Fantasy/Adventure/Sci-fi

Director: Gary Ross

Studio: Lionsgate

Running time: 142 minutes

Release date: March 23, 2012

My rating: 7.6

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and ongoing government intimidation tactic. The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which "Tributes" must fight with one another until one survivor remains.

Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

                                               - Filmjabber

So, my very first movie review.. let's just see how it goes shall we? Hahaha
Oh and by the way, I chose to do 'The Hunger Games' because one, it's one of my favourite book series and is already one of my favourite film series too, and also because I'm going to see the midnight premiere of 'Catching Fire' and I wanted to do a review of the first before I did a review of the second!

'The Hunger Games', arguably one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2012, or was that just me? I had previously read the trilogy by Suzanne Collins, so I was well caught up with the stories, which made me want to see it on the big screen even more! Ross, the director, though he messed up a few things, in my opinion, did do a good job for such a huge adaptation. The lead actors, Jen Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks and Woody Harrelson, did an even better job with their portrayals. While the directing could have been improved, I thought the acting was spot on!

I'm sure everyone knows of the story by now, unless you've been living under a freaking rock! Haha! It's sort of similar to some others out there, namely Battle Royale, but it's so unique at the same time! First of all, the setting is sometime into the future, in what we know to be North America, but instead, in called Panem. The Capitol is the capital, completely not obvious I know,surrounded by twelve districts. Each district is responsible for providing a particular something for the Capitol, and as a result of a past rebellion, 'The Hunger Games' was introduced, as explained in the filmjabber synopsis.
The film is basically about Katniss, a girl from District 12 who is chosen to play in the Games in the 74th annual Hunger Games, and what she encounters while in the arena.

Just so you can visualise what Panem actually looks like.

Going back to what I said about the directing of the movie, I do think Gary Ross did a good job, but honestly there were parts that disappointed me. It couldn't have been an easy task, you know, taking on something as big as The Hunger Games film, what with all the pressure from the excited fans, and the demands of the plot itself. What I really enjoyed in THG film, the direction and all, was the training scenes. Especially Katniss' private session with the gamemakers, I thought it was great across the board. That along with the Tribute parade..

Or even the very start, when Katniss

volunteers in place of Prim, her little

sister, all those were brilliant!




What I didn't fancy, what let me down the most, though, was the world building. I completely understand that the budget wasn't exactly ideal for a world like Panem, but throughout the movie, I just couldn't shake the bogged down vibe I got from the little we got to see of the districts, the Capitol and the actual arena. I can't explain exactly what it is I feel whenever I watch the movie, but basically I just think they could have put a little more into it. I mean, there was one part I liked, when the train was arriving at the Capitol, and you could see all the futuristic high rise buildings and stuff. Yeah that was cool!

The editing, writing and costumes and stuff were pretty good. I don't know too much on editing, but I thought the film ran smoothly, the lighting and all that, suited the particular scenes really well! One thing I was surprised by, but still found enjoyable, was Katniss' tracker jacker hallucinations. It was so interesting how we got to see through Katniss' dizzy eyes, as if we were the ones bitten by those damn bugs! Hahaha
Yeah anyway, the writing was great, even though I thought the cave scenes were a tad sappy. That might just be because I'm a guy though! Haha

I absolutely LOVED the costumes in the film! From the outfits of the Capitol residents..

To the suits they had to wear during their training..

And the costumes for the Tribute Parade!

They were all so creative and looked awesome!

The last part of the film, which isn't really part of the film, was the soundtrack for THG film. The soundtrack came out, what, a few days before the film? I actually liked all the songs on the list, but after a few months of listening to them, I got bored of all except one. Can you guess which that is? It's probably really obvious... Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift! I remember exactly how I felt listening to it the first time around. I don't know, something just clicked and I instantly fell in love with the song, and it's still one of my favourite songs to this day. I don't think a day has passed without me listening to that song.. Is that bad?

Haha well anyway, all in all I thought the film was really good, in need of improvement in some areas, but still really good. I would say it's suitable for all ages, because the violence is even more limited than the books, and I really think it's just a movie that could interest all age groups!

Anyway, thanks for reading, I think this has been my best review yet, and there's more where that came from!

The Initiation

Title:  The Secret Circle: The Initiation

Author: L.J. Smith

Genre: YA/Fantasy

Release Date: Sometime during 1992

Source: Amazon

My Rating: 3/5


Forced to move from sunny California to gloomy New England, Cassie longs for old life. Even so, she feels a strange kinship to a terrifying group of teens who seem to rule her school.

 Initiated into the coven of witches that controls New Salem for hundreds of years, she's drawn into the Secret Circle, a thrill that's both intoxicating and deadly. But when she falls for the mysterious and intriguing Adam, Cassie must choose whether to resist temptation or risk dark forces to get what she wants - even if it means that one wrong move could ultimately destroy her.
                                                          - Goodreads

                                                                          

So I actually read this a while ago, and have been meaning to do it for ages now, so let's get to it!

Cassie, this girl who, at the start, seems nothing more than one of those sidekicks to the typical mean girl is on holidays with her Mum. One that she was greatly looking forward to ending. Turns out the place isn't what she expected, and the people, namely Portia her one 'friend' there aren't exactly the nicest. Anyway she meets this boy on the beach, has a strange encounter, and meets him again a little ways down the road, when he's being chased and she offers a hiding place. He gives her the chalcedony rose stone, that is pretty important later on in the story, and she feels something connecting the two of them.

Anyway, instead of going back to California like she'd hoped, Cassie's mum brings her to New Salem, because her grand-mum needs helping around the house and whatnot. After going through hell and back for two weeks in her new school, having no one to talk to, stay with, she meets Diana, who we learn is the temporary leader of the coven, and she then introduces Cassie to other friends. When soon to be member Kori, is killed, Cassie winds up joining the coven. It's just her luck, though, that when she joins, the worst things start to happen

Some parts of this books really impressed me, surprisingly, but I was also kinda annoyed by others. I am and will always be interested in anything magical, so this book was a great pick on my behalf. I loved that the way magic and its use it unique to this book, or series, and the whole concept of the coven of male and female witches. I just find it so interesting, and it also helped that I was in love with the television adaptation of the novels. It's possible I may have been slightly biased, but the story was well written and the characters were intricately fleshed out, a particular favorite of mine. The way every character was solely their own person, unique in every way, really amplified my enjoyment of the book.

There were a couple of things that just didn't go well with me, however. Like, for example, the pacing of the first half, I think, of the book was incredibly slow. I don't know if it was because I wanted some action, but I just felt the first couple of chapters really dragged in. The next level up on my irritable scale, was the way the book was predominantly based on romance. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for romances, but when I chose a book, craving some magical action, and instead get slapped in the face by pages of lustful kisses, I tend to get a bit disappointed. 

The last thing that really annoyed me, and brought the book down to a three star rating, which is still pretty good, was the main character. I wanted so much to love her, I really did, but at the end I just could just tolerate her. Female protagonists are getting more and more popular nowadays, but unlike Katniss of the Hunger Games, or Tris of Divergent, all Cassie seemed to want was to kiss Adam. In all fairness, she didn't find out that he was Diana's boyfriend until later on, and she does have redeeming qualities like fierce loyalty, but it just really let me down. 

Overall 'The Initiation' gets a three out of five because though the concept and characters lifted the story, it was simple things that proved its flaws.

Starting Into Writing

Hey guys, how's it going?
Hope you're all feeling as good as I am!

I started into writing in the weirdest of ways. And no, I don't mean writing physically for all you smart asses reading this, haha! I mean writing stories, roleplaying, that kind of stuff. Believe it or not, I started on a pretty well known site called Moshi Monsters.

Haha yes, I was a member of Moshi Monsters around three-four years ago, the time in which I was introduced to writing by a close friend. On the site was a section called the Forums, where everyone could chat and interact and make friends. Haha, it might sound a tad on the sappy side but come on, I was eleven! In the Forums, was then a subsection, called Roary's Eye-magination Station (don't slag me for remembering haha) where all the imaginative, creative people and threads were. Where I did my very first roleplay.

This probably all sounds so corny and cringe-worthy, but you know when you reminisce on a particular period of time that you're fond of, and you remember is being happy? Well this is mine. I remember everyday I would speed through my homework, just to get online and create these exciting stories with my new friends. I actually remember the first post I made, not in detail though. Only that it was in a roleplay where we had wolves for characters. It was the best fun I'd had in ages.

Anyway, after a while I moved onto another roleplaying site, WCRPG, because I felt I wanted more advanced stuff.

 There was never a more hesitant moment in my life than joining that site. Okay maybe that's slightly exaggerating, but I was reluctant to leave Moshi, and now I'm glad I made the decision. I've met some of the nicest people I know, on that site, people who made writing over 1,000 words in each post, even a notion in my head. Sure just at the end of Summer I beat my word count, with over 3,000 words! I never thought I'd even be capable of something like that, a year before. 

It's too bad I barely have the time to post everyday now. With school work and exams getting harder, it's like all I do is go to school, come back, do homework, sleep and repeat. I try to fit in at least one post a day, because feel like without writing, I just wouldn't be able to cope! Haha

I don't know about you guys, but for me, writing is all about losing yourself (brace yourself again for the cheesiness that might come). When I write it's like I'm the character, feeling what they feel and experiencing what they experience. 

It the most exhilarating thing ever, writing, and I never plan on stopping.

The Originals

Hey er'body!

In a particularly good mood today, and I did some redecorating on the blog, so I thought, why not throw in a new post too!

Well today's another review, not like yet not completely unlike my other review on 'The Maze Runner' I did a few weeks back.

LET'S GET STARTED

The Originals (TO), for those of you who live under a rock (nah I'm kidding), is a spin-off series of The Vampire Diaries (TVD). Both American CW shows, both focusing on the topic of vampires and various other mystical entities, it's almost obvious what they'll be about.

Just as a really quick catch up of TVD and how this series began.

Basically, Elena meets Stefan. Stefan's a vampire. Damon is Stefan's evil but not so evil brother. Stefan and Elena fall in love. Stuff happens. They break up, unofficially, because of the all powerful Klaus. Klaus is an original, over two thousand years old (you see where the title 'The Originals' came from?). He has siblings but he's keeping them in a deep sleep by daggering their hearts. Original vampires can't be killed without wood or ash from the white oak tree. Klaus kills a lot of people. Everyone hates him. His siblings are released and go after him. Stuff happens. One sibling, Finn, dies. Another, Kol, also dies a little ways along the road. The last originals are Klaus, Elijah and Rebekah. Everyone discovers the originals aren't the oldest immortal beings. The first is Silas He was a witch, but that doesn't matter for this review. Eventually the remaining originals go to New Orleans, their hometown three hundred years ago. And so 'The Originals' began. Got that? Hahaha

Now we're passed that awful summary, I can get back to the review. 

This cast right here...

(Back row - Klaus, Hayley and Elijah
Front row - Rebekah and Marcel)


seem to impress me more and more with every passing episode. The characters, the story line, everything is just so brilliant!

First of all, the plot of TO was a bit hazy in the beginning. But I guess that was expected from a new show.
The original vampires are drawn to New Orleans because one, Klaus is extremely jealous of Marcel and wants to take his former hometown back. You see, Klaus, three hundred years ago, took Marcel under his wing from a young age. He'd always wanted a son, but the originals thought because vampires couldn't reproduce, that they could never expand their family. So Klaus, admiring the courage and strength Marcel put on display when standing up to a policeman (or whatever they were called three hundred years ago), trained him in fighting and all that, eventually turning him into a vampire years later. But when the originals left New Orleans, Marcel took over and became a vicious ruler, unwilling to just hand over his 'kingdom' now that the originals are back.

Klaus is infuriated obviously, it's one of his most prominent traits, and immediately begins to plot against Marcel. All this while, Hayley, a werewolf  is captured by the witches of New Orleans, because she's harbouring a devil baby or something. Turns out this baby is Klaus', the result of when the two hooked up. Klaus, evidently, can procreate because he's a hybrid, a werewolf as well as a vampire. This particular witch, Sophie Deveraux, links her life to Hayley's so that Klaus will listen to her. She wants the originals' help with getting back something of theirs from Marcel, which turns out to be a powerful young witch, and they have a mutual enemy, so they work together.

Over the next few episodes, Klaus gets closer to overthrowing Marcel, and the viewers are given more insight as to the town's past. Turns out Devina, the young witch, was rescued by Marcel on the night the elder witches tried to sacrifice her, and succeeded in sacrificing three of her friends, for the Harvest ritual. We also see a romance blossoming between Elijah and Hayley, which becomes even more obvious in the latest episode where Hayley is almost killed by the last remaining elder witch in attempts to kill the baby, and Elijah ends up killing the witch.

Just when the originals expect that all is well, and they can go back to taking New Orleans, Marcel kidnaps Hayley!

I physically can't wait 'til new week, and I hope to post a review on it too! I promise it'll be more organised next time, I was just too excited today haha!

Emmanuel

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Halloween

Okay, this is long overdue, seeing as Halloween was actually three days ago, but ah well, better late than never right?

I'll start by saying, I'm usually not the type to enjoy watching horror films, or the kind of person who particularly likes to be scared, but for some strange reason, I love Halloween! Maybe it's that I have fond memories of when I used to go out trick or treating and thought it was just amazing, and come back to watch the Disney Channel Original Halloween movies, like Halloween town and Twitches and stuff, but anyway, I just love it. Sadly I didn't get to carve pumpkins this year, because I had no time, but I did go to a Halloween party at my cousins'!

my sister as a maid and me in my zombie groom costume

It was nice, we all got dressed up, stuffed our faces and watched two Horror movies, which I had to be forced to watch by the way! 'Sinister' was by far the scariest movie I've ever seen, and I'm not even going to explain it, because I just want to forget about it, but 'The Eye' wasn't actually that bad, and had a pretty good ending if I do say so myself!

my maid sister, nurse cousin, and little devil cousin

We played games after that, stuffed our faces yet again, and talked through the night because we decided to sleep over. It wasn't the typical going out with friends and drinking yourself to stupor, but I actually really enjoyed myself! 

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