Wednesday 30 April 2014

Book Review: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Book Review: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead



Summary:

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.
Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.
Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?

Review:

In this installment, we pick up right where we left off in Bloodlines. The group is minus the traitorous Keith, with Sydney making points for handling the situation so well. Dimitri and Sonya have arrived to study spirit with Adrian. Both the vampire community and the Alchemists want to find out why, once a Strigoi is changed back into their original state, they will never be able to be turned back to Strigoi again. Sydney, Jill, and Eddie continue to attend Amberwood Prep as siblings but they have a new addition to assist in the protection of Jill: Angeline, the dhampir from the Keepers, a separatist group of Moroi, dhampir, and humans who don't care for the rules of the Moroi court. Angeline is a fun addition to their group, and I like how she mixes things up for Jill and Eddie! 

Richelle Mead really shines in character development, and this is my favorite part of this story. Sydney had come a long way since we first met her in VA. Her prejudices are slowly breaking down. She is finally seeing the Moroi, and dhampirs as people, not as evil, unnatural creatures. My favorite part of her growth, though, is that in relation to Adrian. To see them grow close, and lean on each other was a real pleasure. There are many moments of swoon and hilarity. Adrian is his usual wise-cracking self, and then Sydney can just be so clueless with social situations, you can't help but laugh. The best part with them is seeing how much they genuinely care for one another. I've always had a soft-spot for Adrian. In VA, he helped Rose so much without questions or strings attached (well, maybe a little bit of string!). But I always thought he went above and beyond for her, as well as Jill. He's even more of a sweetheart in this book. There were times I would be sighing, oh Adrian! I don't want to give anything away, but fans of "Sydrian" will not be disappointed.



"You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen walking this earth. And you don't even know it." 
And I have to give you this one too:
"Sage," he said. "What are you wearing?"
I sighed and stared down at the dress. 
"I know. It's red. Don't start. I'm tired of hearing about it."
"Funny," he said. 
"I don't think I could ever get tired of looking at it." 

This one was my personal favorite or maybe I am biased because of Adrian,
 I’d give it:
****

Reviewed by Fouzia Umer





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Tuesday 29 April 2014

Book Review: Bloodlines by Rachelle Mead

Book Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead



Summary :

Sydney’s blood is special. That’s because she’s an alchemist –one of the group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets – and human lives. But the last encounter Sydney had with vampires got her in deep trouble with the other alchemists. And now with the allegiances in question, her future is on line.

When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she’s still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir – the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir – is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill’s guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the unlikeliest of places: a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. The last thing Sydney wants is to be accused of sympathizing with vampires. And now she has to live with one.

The Moroi court believe Jill and Sydney will be safe at Amberwood Prep, but threats, distractions, and forbidden romance lurk outside – and within – the school grounding. Now that they are in hiding, the drama is only just beginning.

Review:

Bloodlines is a spin off from the Vampire Academy Series. As such some of VA’s secondary characters come back and take centre stage action here. This is also an entirely new plot line and not a continuation of the original story. Certainly a few key plot elements from the VA series are mentioned throughout the book and are of importance, but the book can be read irrespective of having followed Vampire Academy or not.
It is written in what has now become typical Richelle Mead style, i.e. intrigue intermingled with humour and romance. It is also designated for young adult readers, yet it is not restricted to just them. It does make an interesting and easy to follow plot line that can amuse and entertain whoever decides to pick it up.



I have to admit I was a little scared of this one. I really liked Vampire Academy and I didn't know if Mead could pull off a spin off, but let me reassure anybody who has doubts this book is awesome! This book is told from Sydney’s point of view. For those who don't remember she was the alchemist who helped Rose escape from prison. I liked Sydney in VA series but she always seemed a little cold. Well in this new series we get to find out why and I have to say that if I grew up like she did I would be pretty cold too. I really liked her voice and I will even go as far as saying that I liked her better than Rose. Sydney has her flaws of course but she is such a strong character that those are easy to overlook. The whole Alchemist world interests me and I think there will be some strong story lines to come. We also get to see several characters from VA and among them of course is Adrian. I will state for the record that I was Team Dimitri all the way but oh I have completely fallen for Adrian now. 

Vampire Academy fans will embrace the new story & new readers will become absorbed by Moroi and Strigoi culture, by the Alchemists’ sometimes medieval beliefs and by the simple thing that’s called life and it comes to challenge the much likeable characters.

 Bloodlines does not disappoint.It intrigues and excites and it does entertain. 
I’ll rate it with:
****




Reviewed by Fouzia Umer 



Monday 28 April 2014

Official Trailer : Let's Be Cops (2014)

Official Trailer : Let's Be Cops (2014)



In the new trailer for Let’s Be Cops, New Girl roommates Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. play a pair of BFFs who dress as police officers for a costume party. When their fake outfits get them mistaken for real cops, they quickly discover that they enjoy the respect and excitement that comes with their (phony) new jobs.

Let’s Be Cops feels like nothing so much as a New Girl subplot blown up to feature length. I could totally see Nick and Coach pretending to be cops for an episode. Johnson and Wayans’ characters here are so close to their characters there, in fact, that it makes me wonder why Schmidt, Winston, Jess, and Cece aren’t there to stop their shenanigans before they get out of hand.

And you know they’re going to get out of hand, because that’s how these movies go. Let’s Be Cops has the potential to get pretty dark and twisted, since the thought of two schmucks like these getting away with impersonating authority figures is terrifying. Whether the film understands that is unclear. The trailer keeps things pretty light. But if nothing else, Let’s Be Cops should be worth checking out just for the great chemistry between its two leads.

Let’s Be Cops opens August 13.

 

Sunday 27 April 2014

Book Review : The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Book Review : The Book Thief by Markus Zusak


“Like most misery, it started with apparent happiness.”


Plot:

Narrated by Death, The Book Thief is the story of Liesel Meminger, a nine-year-old German girl who given up by her mother to live with Hans and Rosa Hubermann in the small town of Molching in 1939, shortly before World War II. On their way to Molching, Liesel's younger brother Werner dies, and she is traumatized, experiencing nightmares about him for months. Hans is a gentle man who brings her comfort and helps her learn to read, starting with a book Liesel took from the cemetery where her brother was buried.

Liesel befriends a neighborhood boy, Rudy Steiner, who falls in love with her. At a book burning, Liesel realizes that her father was persecuted for being a Communist, and that her mother was likely killed by the Nazis for the same crime. She is seen stealing a book from the burning by the mayor's wife Ilsa Hermann, who later invites Liesel to read in her library.

Keeping a promise he made to the man who saved his life, Hans agrees to hide a Jew named Max Vandenberg in his basement. Liesel and Max become close friends, and Max writes Liesel two stories about their friendship, both of which are reproduced in the novel. When Hans publicly gives bread to an old Jew being sent to a concentration camp, Max must leave, and Hans is drafted into the military at a time when air raids over major German cities were escalating in terms of frequency and fatality. Liesel next sees Max being marched towards the concentration camp at Dachau.



 Liesel loses hope and begins to disdain the written word, having learnt that Hitler's propaganda is to blame for the war and the Holocaust and the death of her biological family, but Ilsa encourages her to write. Liesel writes the story of her life in the Hubermanns' basement, where she miraculously survives an air raid that kills Hans, Rosa, Rudy, and everyone else on her block. Liesel survives the war, as does Max. She goes on to live a long life and dies at an old age.

Review:


Disclaimer: 
If you want a fast read, this book is not for you. If you only like happy endings this book is not for you. If you don't like experimental fiction, this book is not for you. 
If you love to read and if you love to care about the characters you read about and if you love to eat words like they're ice cream and if you love to have your heart broken and mended on the same page, this book is for you. 

“When death captures me,” the boy vowed, “he will feel my  fist on his face.”

Personally, I quite like that. Such stupid  gallantry.
Yes.
I like that a lot.



Death himself narrates the story about a little girl named Liesel growing up with her foster parents in Nazi Germany. At the beginning, I felt somewhat intimidated by the idea of Death as a narrator. I assumed that his voice would be dark and thunderous, but for the most part, he was a ray of light illuminating earth’s saddest time. Incredibly insightful observations and occasional dry humor are only some of the things no one but Death could have brought into this story. Besides, we hear people calling God’s name every day for many reasons, but when Death calls to Him in despair and even those calls fall on deaf ears, no one can fail to understand the gravity of the situation.

I do not carry a sickle or a scythe.
I only wear a hooded black robe when it’s cold.
And I don’t have those skull-like 
facial features you seem to enjoy
pinning on me from a distance. You 
want to know what I truly look like?
I’ll help you out. Find yourself a mirror while I continue.

The Book Thief is not one of those books you read compulsively, desperate to find out what’s on the next page. No. It is, in fact, better to read it slowly, in small doses, in a way that allows you to savor every word and absorb the power and the magic it contains. All the while, you know what’s going to happen. Death has no patience for mysteries. However, anticipation of the inevitable makes it even worse. My whole body was tingling with fear because I knew what was coming and I knew that it was only a matter of time.



Zusak found a way to give a fresh approach to a much-told story. He offered a glimpse at the other side of the coin. Really, should we feel sorry for the people hiding in a basement in Munich suburbs? Sure, bombs are falling on their heads, but most of them are members of the Nazi Party, willingly or reluctantly. Some of them truly think that Jews are no better than rats. Some, on the other hand, are hiding a Jew in their own basement. Some are just innocent children. But the more important question is, are we any better at all if we don’t feel compassion and sorrow? Death does a great job of asking all these questions in a calm, unobtrusive way.


Some Quotes From the Book:

•“The only thing worse than a boy who hates you: a boy that loves you.”

•“I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.”

•“Somewhere, far down, there was an itch in his heart, but he made it a point not to scratch it. He was afraid of what might come leaking out.”



•“I guess humans like to watch a little destruction. Sand castles, houses of cards, that's where they begin. Their great skills is their capacity to escalate.”

•“There was once a strange, small man. He decided three important details about his life: 
1. He would part his hair from the opposite side to everyone else. 
2. He would make himself a small, strange mustache. 
3. He would one day rule the world. 
...Yes, the Fuhrer decided that he would rule the world with words.”

I’d rate this different yet powerful novel with:
****

Reviewed by Fouzia Umer 

Friday 25 April 2014

Movie Review : 2 States (2014)

Movie Review : 2 States (2014)



Plot: 

The story starts with Krish (Arjun Kapoor) met Ananya (Alia Bhatt) in IIM Ahmedabad where they both are in a canteen line where Krish offers his Ras Gulla to Ananya and their friendships start from there. Then Krish starts teaching Ananya Economics and both Fall in Love with each other. The both made up their mind to get married and here the story actually starts. Krish and Ananya call their parents at their convocation so they can meet up and they will get married easily. Is it this simple in movies? No! Not in this one too.

Krish belongs to a Punjabi Family and his Mom (Amrita Singh) is very conservative yet funny like other Punjabis, his Dad (Ronit Roy) is a retired Army Officer and has a not-so-good relation with his son. 
On Other hand, Ananya is Tamil and her parents are also very conservative and when the both family met at the convocation the fight starts between the 2 STATES.



Review:

2 States is based on a bestseller novel by "Chetan Bhagat" with the same name. Two more films were made from his novels 3 Idiots (5 Points Someone) and Kai Po Che (3 Mistakes Of My Life) and both were critically and commercially big hits. So, will this one be his hattrick or will be a let down? 

Its a successful fare yet another by UTV, Dharma Production , Arjun Kapoor & Alia Bhatt. Arjun Kapoor Previous movies has just showcased him as an Angry Young Man but this Act of his is just Mind blowing and he stands out as the top performer in the movie. Check him out confronting with psychiatrist in the whole movie, convincing both the parents, showing a different attitude towards his dad, being a simple yet lovable guy, a girl's dream guy, even playing a educated Punjabi boy with ease and that look suits him alot.


On Other hand the other lead, Alia Bhatt, this girl has something in her, she is so pretty that you cant took your eyes off her, her performance is top notch that you cant judge that's her third movie, after "Highway" she raised her standards and lived up to it. Amrita Singh is funny as hell but she played her part so good that you will hate and love her at the same time, playing a Punjabi mother and keep on pointing out mistakes of others, showing cheapness and all. She is perfect and will like to see her regularly in movies. Revathy, playing Alia Bhatt's mother, is too good but gets limited scope still she leave a mark. Ronit Roy appears in a Cameo and he is superb wish he had more role in the movie. Others also acted Good.

Abhishek Varman's first attempt as a director hits the bulls eye and surely he is going to handle some good offers from Producers. The Music of the movie is Brilliant and composed by the trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and they are back on track after some dull and boring music. Locha-e-Ulfat and Mast Magan are the pick of the lot, actually whole album is amazing. 



On the whole 2 States is a light hearted movie, which you can watch with your loved ones and you will enjoy it!

i will rate this Rom-Com :
****

Reviewed by Kelly Cutrone

Thursday 24 April 2014

Official "Green Band" Trailer : Sex Tape (2014)

Official "Green Band" Trailer : Sex Tape (2014)



Once upon a time, making a sex tape was a much less risky business – mainly because the “tape” part was literal rather than figurative. The worst thing that could happen would be an unscrupulous friend stealing the tape (à la Trainspotting) or a few more physical copies being made and handed out.

Then high speed internet came along and made the whole endeavor a lot more dangerous. In Sex Tape, the raunchy new comedy from Bad Teacher director Jake Kasdan, Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel play a nice, respectable suburban couple who wear sensible sweaters and go on outings to Bed, Bath & Beyond. Their family life has led to a stagnant sex life, and so Annie and Jay decide to spice things up by making a sex tape – using their iPad.

It’s not easy to convey this kind of story while maintaining a green band, so the new trailer for Sex Tape is largely comprised of footage that was included in the red band trailer, minus a lot of swearing and a scene of Annie snorting cocaine with her boss (Rob Lowe). The humor is a little spotty and some of it falls flat, but who knows, maybe they’re saving the really good stuff for when the movie comes out.

One downside to Sex Tape is that it could end up becoming very dated very quickly if iPads and Siri go out of style. After all, give it another five years and we’ll all be accessing the internet via chips in our brains and deleting compromising videos with a single thought. Probably.

Sex Tape is out in theaters on July 25, 2014.

Wednesday 23 April 2014

Official Trailer : The Rover (2014)

Official Trailer : The Rover (2014)


There's something especially eerie about a manhunt in the Australian Outback. The unreachable horizon and barren plains take on a menacing tone -- or perhaps that's just the vibe they give off in the trailer for "The Rover," the latest movie from "Animal Kingdom" director David Michôd. 

The trailer starts out with landscape shots juxtaposed with these abridged words from W.B. Yeats' famous apocalyptic poem "The Second Coming": "The center cannot hold / Anarchy is loosed upon the world." What follows is the near-future dystopian story of a loner (Guy Pearce) tracking down the gang that stole his truck. A wounded gang member left behind (Robert Pattinson) joins him in the hunt.



Michôd wrote the screenplay based on a story he developed with Joel Edgerton. The main role in the "Mad Max"-esque chiller was written for Pearce, while some of the movie's supporting characters are portrayed by unprofessional Australian actors. "The Rover" opens in limited release on June 13 and expands wide on June 20.

Monday 21 April 2014

Official Trailer : The Immigrant (2014)

Official Trailer : The Immigrant (2014)


Despite being released in many countries last year, director James Gray’s ‘The Immigrant‘ finally heads to North American theaters this summer. In case there are any doubts (and this movie has been floating around for long enough to generate those kinds of doubts), a new trailer arrived for your viewing pleasure.

Taking place in New York City circa 1921, Marion Cotillard plays Ewa, a Polish immigrant who falls under the spell of Joaquin Phoenix‘s vile Bruno. Desperate to get her sister out of quarantine at Ellis Island, she becomes a dancer and a prostitute. When her life seems to be at rock bottom, Jeremy Renner‘s Emil, a professional magician and Bruno’s cousin, enters the picture.

You’d think a period drama with a trio of actors as strong as Cotillard, Phoenix and Renner would have been snatched up immediately in 2013 and promoted as a major awards contender, so it’s odd to see distributors dragging their feet on ‘The Immigrant.’ James Gray is a capable director (although more popular in Europe than the United States) and this dramatic, dreary story sounds like a wonderfully dreary time at the movies.

‘The Immigrant’ enters limited release on May 16, and will presumably be available to watch through other avenues soon after.

Sunday 20 April 2014

Book Review: Casual Vacancy By J.K Rowling

Book Review: Casual Vacancy 

By J.K Rowling


Review:


Utterly out of the Blue Rowling chose a very different subject this time to suit her pen, Politics.
It is pretty hard to believe that J.K Rowling could write a novel so different from the bestseller & historical series of Harry Potter but on the other hand she seems to master the art of telling story as The Casual Vacancy is gripping from start till end apart from its rather dry subject.
When in a small town of England a casual vacancy arises after the death of councilman the whole town except some suffers deep misery. The story sheds light on many of the social problems that they go through including drugs, prostitution, rape and the class differences.
The story revolves around and we get to see how the councilman’s character was important to the people of Pagford & how instead of being able to live a fulfilled life the children in town were enduring the suffering which came from the negative attitude of their parents.

This novel is a reflection to bad parenting, breaking marriage, crushing hope and the power of suppressed aggression.

The Casual Vacancy has set records & has every reason to be in your book shelf.

Rowling is at her very best in her first experiment with adult fiction.
A touch of deep & classy literature after a long time.
I would rate this one:
****

Reviewed by Adina Farid

Friday 18 April 2014

Official Trailer : If I Stay (2014)

Official Trailer : If I Stay (2014)


Chloe Grace Moretz is no stranger to kicking ass and burning down the prom. But for her next act, the young actress is attempting to bring you a new kind of heartbreak.

Moretz is the star of "If I Stay," based on the young adult novel written by Gayle Forman. It centers on Mia, a young cellist with nothing but boundless opportunities on the horizon. She's been accepted into Julliard. She's falling in love with a guitarist named Adam. Her torn feelings between her professional and personal future are the greatest conflicts in her life.

And then comes the crash.

If I Stay
Mia's world is turned upside down during a horrific car accident that kills her parents, and leaves Mia in a coma. She has an existential, out-of-body experience where she realizes she has a choice to make: stay alive and struggle through the extraordinarily difficult tragedy, or allow herself to pass on.

It's a powerful, emotional conflict that plays to great tragic effect in this first, exclusive look at the "If I Stay" trailer. In addition to Moretz, the film stars "The Killing" veteran Mireille Enos as Mia's mother, and relative newcomer Jamie Blackley as Mia's boyfriend, Adam

Thursday 17 April 2014

Official Trailer #3 : X-Men: Days of the Future Past

Official Trailer #3 : X-Men: Days of the Future Past


The final X-Men: Days of Future Past trailer has been released. Watch the new trailer featuring Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender and many new mutants.

X-Men: Days of Future Past director Bryan Singer has been doing an excellent job promoting his latest X-Men film and now we’re finally seeing the film’s final trailer.

The first trailer gave us some great looks at essentially all the characters that we’ll be seeing in the X-Men sequel. Many of the actors we saw in X-Men: First Class are back, but Singer has added so many more characters using the film’s time travel element.



In the final trailer for the film we see Wolverine assembling the X-Men, so that they can prevent the extermination of all the world’s mutants. One thing that stands out is Quicksilver looks much better in motion than he does in images we’ve seen (which is a good thing).

Logan looks to be on a mission to bring all of our favorite mutants together to battle against the Sentinels which are trying to wipe mutants from the past and future out. There’s quite a bit of humor in the trailer and a sense of urgency from Wolverine.

X-Men: Days of Future Past’s release date is set for May 23, 2014. The film stars returning actors Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, James McAvoy, and Michael Fassbender. Also rejoining the X-Men franchise are Halle Berry, Shawn Ashmore, James Marsden, Ellen Page, and Hugh Jackman. Fan-favorite Peter Dinklage will be playing the film’s villain.

Monday 14 April 2014

Official Clip : The Fault In Our Stars (Its A Metaphor) HD

Official Clip : The Fault In Our Stars (Its A Metaphor) HD



Taking advantage of the young adult audience watching the MTV Movie Awards Sunday night, “The Fault in Our Stars” leads Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort introduced a new clip of the Josh Boone adaptation of John Green hit YA novel — and they left the tearjerking moments out, for now.

Woodley stars as Hazel, who is fighting terminal cancer. She meets Elgort’s Gus at a youth cancer support group, and the book and film follows them on their ensuing romance with the backdrop of their serious health issues.

The one-minute clip shows the two stars getting to know each other on the day they first meet. Gus asks Hazel if she wants to go see a movie and it seems to be going well, but things quickly go downhill when Gus sticks a cigarette in his mouth. That sets Hazel off, especially given their health issues, but Gus assures her that he’s never actually lit a cigarette.



“It’s a metaphor,” he says. “You put the thing that does the killing right between your teeth, but you never give it the power to kill you — a metaphor.”

The film is set to bow June 6. Woodley and Elgort also appear together in the recently released adaptation of another popular YA novel, “Divergent,” as siblings, and will reprise their roles in the upcoming sequel “Insurgent.”



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Saturday 12 April 2014

Official "Red Band" Trailer : Sex Tape (2014)

Official "Red Band" Trailer : Sex Tape (2014)


Cameron Diaz is upping the ante in "Sex Tape," so says director Jake Kasdan, who helmed Diaz's turn as the worst middle school teacher on the planet in 2011's "Bad Teacher."

In "Teacher," Diaz's warped Elizabeth lies, cheats, and steals her way to the dough required for her dream boob job — you know, the thing that will solve all of her problems by making her more instantly attractive to rich, single men.

Sounds like a hit, right? "Bad Teacher" didn't impress critics when it came out in 2011 but the R-rated comedy won over audiences in a big way, bringing in a cool $216 million worldwide box office against a production budget of just $20 mil.

Jake Kasdan, who directed Diaz and Jason Segel in "Teacher," has teamed up with them again for "Sex Tape"

"Sex Tape" opens nationwide on July 25.


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Thursday 10 April 2014

Official Trailer : Chef (2014)

Official Trailer : Chef (2014)



Lately, Jon Favreau has been known for his big screen spectacles, but for his latest "Chef"—a return to his more indie-oriented roots of "Swingers"—the only special effect may be what's inside the secret sauce. Yep, Favreau is diving into the world of food trucks and the first trailer for his film is here.

Premiering last month at the SXSW Film Festival, the movie brings together a starry ensemble—Sofia Vergara, John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Dustin Hoffman, Oliver Platt, Bobby Cannavale, Amy Sedaris, Emjay Anthony, Robert Downey Jr. and famed chef Roy Choi—for the tale of a down-on-his luck chef who finds new inspiration with this kitchen on wheels and travels across the country with his son, with both his career and professional life in the balance. Does it work? Our man in Austin didn't quite think so, though perhaps it'll be interesting enough to see Favreau back working in a minor key.

"Chef" opens on May 9th.


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Wednesday 9 April 2014

Movie Trailer : The Angriest Man In Brooklyn (2014)

Movie Trailer : The Angriest Man In Brooklyn (2014)


Robin Williams, a.k.a. the angriest man in Brooklyn, is told by a ticked off Mila Kunis that he only has 90 minutes to live after he suffers a brain aneurysm following a car accident. Unbeknownst to Williams, Kunis’ character has made up the arbitrary time span to punish him for yelling at her.

The first trailer for Phil Alden Robinson’s “The Angriest Man In Brooklyn” (his first film in 12 years) find Williams running around town to right his wrongs, including making amends to his wife (Melissa Leo), brother (Peter Dinklage) and son (Hamish Linklater).

The remake of the Israeli film, “Mar Baum,” also stars Richard Kind as Williams’ only friend. It premieres in limited release and on VOD May 23.



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Tuesday 8 April 2014

Book Review : Fifty Shades Freed by E.L.James

Book Review : Fifty Shades Freed 

by E.L.James



Plot:

As we return back to the last & best of Grey series we find everything at its peak.
E.L James has created this last book with more magic & less kin!
The book starts with a jolt when Christian wakes up from his nightmare about his past where his mother lies cold and dead on floor.
Ana and Christian get married and go on honeymoon in Europe.
Christian's purchase of SIP goes through, and he tells Ana that he wants her to eventually run the business.
When Christian is out of town on a business trip, Ana sneaks out to have drinks with Kate. Jack attempts to break into Escala with the intention of kidnapping and assaulting Ana. The security team catches Jack and has him arrested, but Christian is furious with Ana for not staying home when she was told. Ana tells that Christian is too overprotective and controlling, but she tries to understand why he feels the need to protect her.
Christian surprises Ana by inviting Kate, Elliot, Mia, and Ethan to all go on vacation in Aspen, Colorado. Elliot proposes to Kate at a restaurant in front of all their friends.
Ray is badly injured in a car accident with a drunk driver, but manages to make a full recovery. Ana learns that she is pregnant because her birth control shot ran out early and she missed four appointments with Dr. Greene. When she tells Christian, he walks out on her. He tries to find Dr. Flynn, but instead finds himself at Elena's salon. He later comes home drunk and while Ana is trying to get him in bed, she sees a text from Elena. Ana worries that their marriage is on the rocks.



Jack is bailed out of prison by an unknown party (later revealed to be Elena's ex-husband, Mr. Lincoln). Jack and his accomplice (revealed to be Elizabeth Morgan) drug and kidnap Mia and hold her for a $5 million dollar ransom. Ana is able to outwit Jack and manages to save Mia's life, but is hurt in the process. Later, Ana discovers that Jack wanted revenge against Christian for destroying his life and taking SIP away from him. Elizabeth eventually feels guilty for her part and willingly testifies against Jack to the police.
At the hospital, Christian is upset with Ana for endangering both her and their baby's life, but apologizes for walking out on her. Most of Ana's family and friends are upset with her for being reckless -- except for Mia, who is actually grateful for being rescued. Christian finally opens up to Ana about his childhood in Detroit and his relationship with Elena. With Christian finally opening up to her, Ana's worries are put to rest.
In the Epilogue, Anastasia and Christian have a son Theodore and are expecting their second child, a daughter they name Phoebe. Kate and Elliot marry and have a daughter named Ava.
After the book ends with a happy ending there is some bonus material about their life afterwards. Ana gives birth to a baby boy whom they name after Grace’s father Theodore, and is expecting again with a baby girl.
The story has ended well but still with some space for yet another sequel!

Review:


“I want your world to begin and end with me.”




Outstanding and complete! Not a slight detail left unattended. What an splendid end to what an awesome series!
The turn of events and the unfolding Grey wraps up readers in to a mystified fog, intoxicating and addictive.
This last book of trilogy is also the best one as it is unputdownable right from the start!
If you are able to save yourself from kinky Christian after two books, the good and irresistibly hot Christian is waiting in this one!
All the secrets are revealed smoothly.

“Life is never going to be boring with Christian, and I’m in this for the long haul. I love this man: my husband, my lover, father of my child, my sometimes Dominant……my Fifty Shades.” 

I would rate this outstanding climax of one of my favorite series, a little over the top, with:
****1/2
Review by Kelly Cutrone


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Sunday 6 April 2014

Book Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Book Review: Anna and the French Kiss

 by Stephanie Perkins 



I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz, 
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul. 
-Pablo Neruda

Book Synopsis:


“French name, English accent, American school. Anna confused.” 

Anna is looking forward to starting her senior year in Atlanta--she's got a car, a great job, a great best friend, and a smoldering crush that may be evolving into more. Her father has other plans though. He wants her to experience "culture" and enrolls her in an American school in Paris. What? Anna doesn't speak a word of French and has no idea how she'll get through the year. That is until she meets the quite gorgeous and charming Etienne St. Claire. He is all that Anna could ever want in a boyfriend except for the fact that he already has a girlfriend. And doesn't Anna have an almost-boyfriend back home? As the year in the romantic City of Lights comes to an end, will all of the romantic near-misses finally come to something more for Anna and Etienne.



Review :


In this book, Anna is shipped off to SOAP, School of America in Paris by her Nicholas Sparky-type author dad; and she’s absolutely homesick, lost and insecure as she doesn’t speak a lick of French. Along comes the best crew of characters and not only befriend Anna, but drag her out of her dorm to experience the city of Paris and all of its wonders. As the book progresses, Anna and St. Clair develop a lovey type friendship that they eventually must acknowledge, but not without some messy stitches along the way. 

My favorite scenes in the book: Anna and St. Clair’s tour of the city, their Turkey dinner in Paris, yelling down the halls and stairwell during the holiday, sleepovers, multiple trips to the cinema, the flight home, the emails back and forth, the New Year’s telephone call, the banana bead, Pablo Neruda poetry book... I love Neruda! I could go on and on, so let’s just say I loved it all.

St. Clair is absolute perfection, yummier than a fluffy croissant. Anna is adorably awesome and flawed. Together, their story is full of enjoyable moments that reminded me how sporadically awesome it is to be a teenager. I’m in love with the theaters, Notre Dame, Point Zero des routes de France, Luxembourg Gardens and what not!! Every place in this book deserves to be fallen in love with!
And the friends! Gosh, Friends like Mer, Rashmi & Josh are what everyone needs. And the 'BEST FRIEND' St. Clair. I want to hear him say “Ba-nah-na”. Endless love :) 

This book made me real happy, when I was depressed. It’s a cute book for those who love Paris, Friendship & Love! 


Favorite Quotes :


-“I love you as certain dark things are loved, secretly, between the shadow and the soul.” 

-“Is it possible for home to be a person and not a place?”

-“The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.”

-“I wish friends held hands more often, like the children I see on the streets sometimes. I'm not sure why we have to grow up and get embarrassed about it.” 

It’s a Parisian delight, just the right choice for book worms with a sweet tooth searching for a sugary and romantic read.
 I’ll rate it:
****

Reviewed by Fouzia Umer 


Friday 4 April 2014

Book Review: Fifty Shades Darker by E.L.James (FSOG #2)

Book Review: Fifty Shades Darker by E.L.James



Plot:


Fifty Shades Darker is a sequel to Fifty Shades of Grey continuing the tragedy of a building up relationship between the hot & smoldering Christian Grey & the indifferent but definitely falling Anastasia Steele.
The twisty story of this one totally differs it from Twilight and finally E.L James finds her own path.
The story starts right from where it ended. Ana being brutally hit by Christian is quite dubious about the relationship but the n again can’t stay away for long from the man she so desperately wants.
They get back together after a long fight and things just start to settle when the real twist of the story starts to shake the plot.
One of Christian’s ex-sub is following Ana. Not just this but the pervy boss is trying to get her in bed who is then kickassed and sacked by his boss’s boss’s boss our very own Christian Grey!
Mentally unstable ex-sub & a vengeful ex-boss joined by paedophilic ex-dom raising the bar of drama.
Ana fights through all of this for salvation of her tormented boyfriend and wins over all the odds.
This one demands to be read!
The whole novel is full of so many dark secrets & revelations that boggle mind of the reader and at the end of it all you want to do is grab the third one!



Review:

This one is much more better then the last one as you get more story and less BDSM.
Interesting plot and even more interesting characters.
After reading Fifty Shades you come for more and having this one as more satisfies as well as famish you to get your hands on the third one!
Getting to know the past of Christian and meeting his ex-sub Leila intensifies his character and puts just the right amount of spice!
The  character of Ana however feels a little silly, doing things wrong all the time but by the time climax comes this book becomes unputdownable!

Even sexier and extremely intriguing than the last one Fifty Shades Darker is a golden addition to the trilogy!
I think this book gave trilogy a kind of literary value which was much needed by the awesomeness of story and a distinguished path.
I’d like to rate this Fifty Shades:
****

Reviewed by Kelly Cutrone


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Wednesday 2 April 2014

Movie Review: Chasing Liberty (2004)

Movie Review: Chasing Liberty (2004)


Story:

An American romantic comedy with a Presidential twist!
Chasing Liberty is the story of Anna Foster (Mandy Moore) daughter of President of the United States James Foster (Mark Harmon). After Secret Service agents ruin a first date, Anna demands less supervision. For his upcoming trip to Prague, the president agrees to assign only two agents to watch over Anna, whose Secret Service codename is Liberty. In Prague, Anna and her friend Gabrielle La Clare (Beatrice Rosen) attend a concert, where Anna discovers numerous agents in the crowd. Believing her father has broken his promise, Anna eludes her protectors with Gabrielle's help. Outside the theater, she asks Ben Calder (Matthew Goode) for a ride on his motorbike. Unknown to Anna, Ben is a Secret Service agent, and he informs agents Alan Weiss (Jeremy Piven) and Cynthia Morales (Annabella Sciorra) where she can be found. When the president learns of her behavior, he instructs Ben to guard Anna without revealing his true identity, to give her the illusion of freedom with a guarantee of safety.
Believing she is finally free, Anna jumps into the Vltava River naked, mistaking it for the Danube, and she and Ben climb a rooftop to watch an Offenbach opera being shown in a plaza. The next morning, Anna calls her parents. Initially relieved that his daughter is safe, the President's tone changes when he is shown photos of her undressing. Outraged at her father's tone, Anna decides she will go to the Love Parade in Berlin. She and Ben board a train, where they meet Scotty McGruff (Martin Hancock), a flighty romantic who gives them a stack of Six Million Dollar Man stickers, instructing them to post them in random places, and one day when they are unhappy, they may come across one and it will make them smile. Ben discovers that they have boarded a Venice-bound train going in the opposite direction from Berlin.



In Venice, after checking in with agents Weiss and Morales—who are now growing closer romantically—Ben joins Anna and McGruff and together they explore the city. After McGruff leaves, Anna realizes he has stolen her wallet. When Anna is recognized by tourists, she and Ben flee. With no money, they tell a kind-hearted gondolier, Eugenio (Joseph Long), that they recently married against her parents' wishes. During the free gondola ride, Ben kisses Anna to hide her from their pursuers. When he learns the "newlyweds" have no place to stay, Eugenio invites them to his house, where they are welcomed by his mother, Maria (Miriam Margolyes). That night, thinking their kiss was heartfelt, Anna offers herself to Ben, but he rejects her advances.
The next day, Eugenio drives them to the Austrian border, as Weiss and Morales show up at Maria's house and learn from Maria that Anna and Ben are married, which is then reported to Anna's parents. Upset at Ben's rejection, Anna hitchhikes a ride in a truck, leaving Ben to chase her through the Austrian countryside. Anna comes to a bridge, where she meets the Jumping Germans, a bungee jumping group. Ben arrives just as Anna is being strapped into the harness, and insists on jumping with her.
Later that evening at the Jumping Germans' camp, one of the Germans asks Anna to share his tent for the night. She refuses and flirts with Ben, who rejects her advances again. Upset, she declares that she will share the German's tent after all; Ben finally admits his feelings for Anna and they spend the night together. At the Love Parade, as Ben explains his actions on the phone to his fellow agents, Anna discovers his identity. Enraged at the apparent betrayal, Anna runs off, only to be harassed by a group of men who recognize her. Ben rescues her, and Anna and her family return to the United States.



While preparing for college, Anna reveals to her mother that her heart is "a little bit broken." At college, with Weiss and Morales (who plan to marry) still protecting her, Anna sees a Six Million Dollar Man sticker which reminds her of her European adventure. During Christmas break Anna's father tells her that Ben resigned from the Secret Service and is working as a photographer in London. During an exchange program to Oxford University Anna visits Ben at the opera, where they kiss, reconcile, and escape on his motorbike.

Review:


Kind of a refreshing flick to lighten up the mood & take full pleasure in watching romance with a twist  on the beautiful grounds of Europe.
Mandy Moore is as good as ever & makes great couple with Mathew Goode.
Story and the feel of movie is happy and light. Its not a flick that you will remember forever or would stick to but it surely is worth watch. As life is not only about heavy dose of everything and we are not here to play Critics!
The movie maintains its charm & vanilla flavor throughout with nice to ears music & great great scenery.
If you are up to pass time without getting thunderbolted with drama, try this one!
Actors do justice to their characters & movie did justice to my time.
So I will rate this cute one:
***

Reviewed by Adina Farid

Tuesday 1 April 2014

Book Review : Paper Towns by John Green

Book Review : Paper Towns by John Green



Book Synopsis:

Paper Towns is the third young adult novel by John Green known for his famous YA novels “The Fault In Our Stars” and “Looking For Alaska”.
Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life—dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows.
After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they’re for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees of the girl he thought he knew. 

Review:

"Tonight, darling, we are going to right a lot of wrongs. And we are going to wrong some rights. The first shall be last; the last shall be first; the meek shall do some earth-inheriting. But before we can radically reshape the world, we need to shop." 


The first 80% of this book followed John Green’s usual (and usually successful) recipe: a smart, well-read and generally well-balanced boy ( “Both my parents are therapists, which means I am really goddamned well adjusted.” ) becomes obsessed with a beautiful, chaotic and self-destructive girl and, through his infatuation, learns about himself, life and adulthood. 
Quentin Jacobsen has been in love with his next door neighbor Margo Roth Spiegelman for as long as he can remember. Margo is everything: she is the most popular girl in school, she is smart, she is funny, she is restless. She has also been ignoring Q ever since they were old enough to have friends outside their neighborhood. Then, one night shortly before their graduation, Margo shows up at Quentin’s window and invites him along for a night or “righting some wrongs and wronging some rights”, after which she disappears, leaving only a few vague clues for Quentin to find. Instead of focusing on his finals and his upcoming graduation, Q becomes obsessed with finding Margo dead or alive (although dead seems more likely by the minute) and while searching, he learns the difference between Margo the dream and Margo the girl. 
There are many wonderful things I could say about this book, but above all, I appreciated that Green kept pointing out how extraordinarily self-centered each and every character was. I would love to say that this was limited to teens, as one expects teens to be completely egocentric, but it started with Margo’s parents and spread to everyone else involved.  This book was definitely a fun read and had some really good characters and witty comebacks.

Quotes That Made Me Think:


-Isn't it also that on some fundamental level we find it difficult to understand that other people are human beings in the same way that we are? We idealize them as gods or dismiss them as animals.

-What a treacherous thing to believe that a person is more than a person.

-I'm starting to realize that people lack good mirrors. It's so hard for anyone to show us how we look, and so hard for us to show anyone how we feel.

-As much as life can suck, it always beats the alternative.

-“That's always seemed so ridiculous to me, that people want to be around someone because they're pretty. It's like picking your breakfeast cereals based on color instead of taste.”


Rating :


There is something about Green’s humor that just sits well with me.
I’ll rate this book: 
***1/2 

Movie Lovers Treat:


“Paper Towns” is being made into a movie by the team of “The Fault In Our Stars” and Natt Wolf has been casted as Quentin who is going to appear in TFIOS as Isaac.


Reviewed by Fouzia Umer


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